African oil palm Plant Care
Elaeis guineensis Jacq.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Elaeis guineensis is a species of palm commonly just called oil palm but also sometimes African oil palm or macaw-fat. The first Western person to describe it and bring back seeds was the French naturalist Michel Adanson.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun
65–85°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for African oil palm?
Water African oil palm every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun. It prefers temperatures of 65–85°F (18–29°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season.
What Is the African oil palm?
African oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) belongs to the Arecaceae family within the Elaeis genus. African oil palm is also known as Oil palm, Palm oil.
African oil palm displays a tall, single-stemmed palm growth habit, reaching up to 50 ft tall with a spread of approximately 20 ft. African oil palm produces creamy inflorescence with small flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 36 inches.
How Often Should You Water a African oil palm?
Elaeis guineensis requires watering every 7–14 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the African oil palm Need?
African oil palm thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the African oil palm Prefer?
Elaeis guineensis grows best at temperatures of 65–85°F. African oil palm prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
65–85°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a African oil palm?
Well-draining loamy soil with added sand and organic matter. Good drainage is essential for African oil palm to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a African oil palm?
Feed African oil palm every 8 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 8 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a African oil palm?
Repot every 2-3 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a African oil palm?
African oil palm can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to american oil palm plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the African oil palm Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list African oil palm, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the African oil palm?
African oil palm is susceptible to red palm mite, palm aphids, palm weevils. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the African oil palm Need?
African oil palm grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. In cooler regions, grow African oil palm as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
African oil palm is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Elaeis genus — compare its care with other Elaeis species on PlantoScan.
Elaeis is part of the Arecaceae plant family — browse all Arecaceae genera and species.
African oil palm thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Elaeis guineensis Jacq., family Arecaceae (first published in Select. Stirp. Amer. Hist. : 280 (1763)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list African oil palm, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13b, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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