Jubaea chilensis

Jubaea chilensis (Chilean wine palm) is a very impressive palm with its massive trunk, the size and the feather leaves. The palm needs mild winters, but manages cool summers. It can reach enormous heights (above 25 metres), but this take normally very long time. Large exemplars can have a trunk with a thickness above 1,5 metres. It is without doubt the biggest palm in the world.

The palm is possibly hardy enough in the very mildest areas of western Norway and Denmark. The demands for summer heat can be covered many places in Scandinavia, but it is the need for high winter temperatures that is the problem. Worldwide it is unlikely to find a Jubaea chilensis in areas that is classified below USDA-zone 8

As with all other palms the growth area can probably be expanded with good winter protection. The palm should be planted on a well drained and sun exposed site. It can manage arid conditions. If a Jubaea chilensis is fertilized the right way, the speed of growth can be improved considerably. This will prove useful since the palm is known for slow growth.

Jubaea chilensis is native to the coastal and mountain areas of the central Chile. There it can be found wild up to 700 metres above ocean level. The climate in these areas is not very different compared to the mildest areas of Scandinavia. The palm’s juice has long been tapped in Chile. The juice is being used in the production of wine (therefore the name).

Picture: Jubaea chilensis in Hyeres les palmiers 2004 (Photo: Andreas Askmark)