When it comes to watering, the coconut palm is a bit of a diva. Getting it wrong—or letting it get too thirsty—can unfortunately mean the end of your tropical friend. How often you need to grab the watering can depends on a few things, so let’s break down how to keep your palm happy and hydrated.
The Right Kind of Water
To give you an idea of how picky these palms are, they really only like “soft” water. Ideally, you’d use rainwater. If you don’t have a rain barrel or a way to collect it, don’t worry—you can “make” soft water at home.
Here’s a quick DIY guide to softening and de-liming your tap water:
- Boil the water to remove excess lime.
- Mix it with distilled water at a 1:1 ratio.
- Add a small tablespoon of vinegar to help soften it further.
- Check the pH level.
You’re aiming for a pH between 6 and 6.6. If you don’t want to play chemist every time you water, I highly recommend getting a water filter or softener. It’s a huge time-saver, especially if you have a collection of other exotic houseplants that also hate hard water.
Temperature Matters
Coconut palms are all about that tropical heat, and that includes their water. They absolutely despise cold water—it can actually shock them into a growth standstill. To avoid this, make sure your water is at least room temperature. A pro tip: keep a large watering can sitting right next to the palm and refill it immediately after watering so it’s always ready for next time.
While room temp is the bare minimum, these plants actually prefer it slightly lukewarm. If the water feels just a bit warmer than your body temperature, your palm will love you for it.
How Often to Water
If you notice your coconut palm has brown leaves, don’t automatically assume you’re watering too much or too little. It could actually be a sign that the air is too dry. In that case, you might need to mist the leaves rather than soak the soil.
The golden rule for coconut palms: they like moist soil, but they hate “wet feet” (standing water). Wait to water until the top layer of soil feels dry to the touch. Also, never pour water directly onto the coconut itself! Instead, water the soil surrounding it.
Winter Watering Tips
During the winter months, you should scale back on the water. Ideally, your palm should be kept in a slightly cooler spot during this time so it can rest. You should be able to cut your watering schedule down to about once a week.
