Saribus chocolatinus Plant Care
Saribus chocolatinus (Dowe) C.D.Bacon & W.J.Baker
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Saribus chocolatinus is a species of palm tree in the genus Saribus, which is native to Papua New Guinea. It is a fan palm.
Every 7–14 days
Bright indirect light
65–85°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Saribus chocolatinus?
Water Saribus chocolatinus every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect light. It prefers temperatures of 65–85°F (18–29°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Saribus chocolatinus Native To?
What Is the Saribus chocolatinus?
Saribus chocolatinus (Saribus chocolatinus) belongs to the Arecaceae family within the Saribus genus. Saribus chocolatinus is native to Papua New Guinea.
Saribus chocolatinus displays a tall, elegant palm growth habit, reaching up to 10 ft tall with a spread of approximately 5 ft. Saribus chocolatinus produces produces small, inconspicuous flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 18 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Saribus chocolatinus?
Saribus chocolatinus 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 Saribus chocolatinus Need?
Saribus chocolatinus thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Saribus chocolatinus in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Saribus chocolatinus Prefer?
Saribus chocolatinus grows best at temperatures of 65–85°F. Saribus chocolatinus 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 Saribus chocolatinus?
Well-draining, rich potting mix with added perlite and sand. Good drainage is essential for Saribus chocolatinus to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Saribus chocolatinus?
Feed Saribus chocolatinus every 6 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 6 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 Saribus chocolatinus?
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 Saribus chocolatinus?
Saribus chocolatinus can be propagated through seeds, division of offsets. Similar propagation techniques also apply to chinese fan palm plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Saribus chocolatinus Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Saribus chocolatinus, 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 Saribus chocolatinus?
Saribus chocolatinus is susceptible to spider mites, mealybugs, scale insects. 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 Saribus chocolatinus Need?
Saribus chocolatinus grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Saribus chocolatinus is native to Papua New Guinea. In cooler regions, grow Saribus chocolatinus as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
Saribus chocolatinus 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 Saribus genus — compare its care with other Saribus species on PlantoScan.
Saribus is part of the Arecaceae plant family — browse all Arecaceae genera and species.
Saribus chocolatinus 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: Saribus chocolatinus (Dowe) C.D.Bacon & W.J.Baker, family Arecaceae (first published in Palms (1999+) 55: 112 (2011)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Saribus chocolatinus, 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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