Pindo Palm
Butia odorata
Zones 7–13
Growing
Growing a Pindo Palm requires careful attention to drainage and winter protection. Because this species thrives in very porous substrate, ensure your planting site or container allows water to drain away from the roots quickly to avoid waterlogged conditions. While this palm is hardy enough to survive a hard freeze, you should provide extra care during extreme cold. If temperatures drop significantly, you can protect the trunk by wrapping it with heating strips, and using a small, open tent can help shield the plant from excess rain during the winter months.
When you start your palms from seed, you can begin the process indoors before transplanting them into their permanent location. As they mature, you will notice the characteristic feather-like leaves arching inward toward a stout, thick trunk. While the plant is quite drought-tolerant, it is important to provide regular water during the summer months to support its growth.
If you are growing the palm for its fruit, keep in mind that a single plant is capable of setting fruit and will attract various pollinators to your garden. The fruit ripens after it has been picked. Once harvested, you can preserve the bounty by using canning or freezing methods.
| Sun | full sun |
|---|---|
| Water | low |
| Grow time | >150 days |
| Height | >6ft |
| Spacing | >24in |
| Full sun | ✓ |
|---|---|
| Part shade | ✓ |
| Shade | ✗ |
| Life cycle | perennial |
|---|---|
| Category | fruiting |
| Growth habit | rosette |
| Season | warm |
| Frost tolerance | hardy |
| Height | over 6ft |
| Spacing | over 24in |
| Days to maturity | over 150 |
| Water | low |
|---|---|
| Drainage | well drained |
| Soil ph min | 5.5 |
| Soil ph max | 8.0 |
| Propagation | |
| Seed | ✓ |
| Cutting | ✗ |
| Division | ✗ |
| Graft | ✗ |
| Tuber bulb crown | ✗ |
| Transplant | ✓ |
| Container ok | ✓ |
| Pollination | self fertile |
| Pollinator friendly | ✓ |
| Toxic parts | |
| Leaves | ✗ |
| Seeds | ✗ |
| Raw | ✗ |
| Wash before storing | — |
|---|---|
| Ripens off plant | ✓ |
| Curing days | none |
| Shelf life | under 3d |
| Storage methods | |
| Room temp | — |
| Cool dark | — |
| Fridge | ✓ |
| Freeze | ✓ |
| Can | ✓ |
| Dry | — |
| Ferment pickle | ✓ |
| Blanch before freezing | — |
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no | no | no | no |
| Harvest | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | no | yes | yes | yes |
References: Wikipedia · how this data is made