Butia capitata (Jelly Palm)

Slow-growing, Butia capitata (Jelly Palm) is a handsome small evergreen palm with a stout solitary trunk crowned with blue-green to gray-green leaves that curve in towards the trunk. The pinnately compound leaves, 3-6 ft. (90-180 cm), form a dense, full crown and arch gracefully creating a slightly weeping effect.

Slow-growing, Butia capitata (Jelly Palm) is a handsome small evergreen palm with a stout solitary trunk crowned with blue-green to gray-green leaves that curve in towards the trunk. The pinnately compound leaves, 3-6 ft. (90-180 cm), form a dense, full crown and arch gracefully creating a slightly weeping effect. Each leaf has 25-60 pairs of slender leaflets which ascend from the spiny leaf stalk to form a V-shape. The heavy trunk is patterned with the stubs of old leaves. In summer, small, creamy-yellow, fruity-scented flowers appear in long spikes, up to 3 ft. long (90 cm). They are followed by showy clusters of orange-yellow, sweet, edible fruits, as large as dates, and rich with a pineapple flavor. Easy to grow, Jelly Palm is salt, heat, and drought tolerant and among the hardiest feather palms, withstanding temperatures down to 14ºF (-10ºC). An attractive palm tree as a freestanding specimen or grouped with other palms.

  • Winner of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society
  • Grows up to 10-20 ft. tall (3-6 m) and 10-15 ft. wide (3-5 m).
  • Easily grown in well-drained soils in full sun or part shade. Drought tolerant once established.
  • No serious disease or pest issues.
  • Propagate from seed in spring.
  • Native to Brazil, Uruguay, and Argentina.

Requirements

Hardiness 9
– 11

Heat Zones 10
– 11

Climate Zones 8, 9, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2
Plant Type Palms – Cycads
Plant Family Palms – Cycads
Exposure Full Sun, Partial Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early,Mid,Late)Summer (Early,Mid,Late)FallWinter
Height 10'
– 20'
(3m
– 6m)
Spread 10'
– 15'
(3m
– 4.5m)
Water Needs Low
Maintenance Low
Soil Type Clay, Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Well-Drained
Characteristics Plant of Merit, Showy, Evergreen, Fruit & Berries
Tolerance Drought
Garden Uses Beds and Borders, Patio and Containers
Garden Styles Mediterranean Garden