Coco Plum Grow Guide
Coco plums also called lcaco, (species Chrysobalanus icaco) are in the family Chrysobalanaceae, the coco plum plant is native to tropical America and Africa. This tropical to sub-tropical evergreen grows best in Zones 10-11. Coco plums are grown for their delicious berries and can also be grown as a hedge, this evergreen is moderately salt-tolerant, and can be planted inland and in coastal areas.
Coco plums can reach heights of 15 feet with the same width span, the edible fruits are not only enjoyed by humans but wildlife such as jays, cardinals, red-bellied woodpeckers, grackles many other bird species, deer, coyotes, raccoons, foxes, black bears, opossums, and squirrels.
The coco plum plant can be grown by planting directly into the ground, from containers, from cuttings, and from seeds, we will be discussing however on how to grow coco plums from seeds. If you want to learn more about how this is done and to make this tropical evergreen a part of your garden and landscape then continue reading to see how this is done.
How to Grow Coco Plums from Seeds
1. Fill pots or seed trays with a seed-raising mix or good potting soil.
2. Soak the fruits or berries in water until their coating softens.
3. Now rub the fruits on a coarse screen or sandpaper to remove or separate the seed from the fruit.
4. Once the seeds are exposed plant them in the seeds-raising mix or potting soil.
5. With a gentle stream of water like the water that comes out of a shower head thoroughly water the seeds, a hose attachment is best to use because these attachments have many settings. Choose the setting that says gentle shower, the reason for setting the gauge to gentle shower is to ensure that none of the mix or potting soil gets washed out.
6. The seed trays or pots should be placed in a warm location to encourage seed germination.
7. The seeds will germinate in about 35-40 days.
8. Once the seeds have germinated place the seed tray or pots in a sunny window so the seedlings will grow.
9. Once the seedlings reach 12 inches or more can be transplanted in their permanent location, for more on the growth and care of coco plums refer to the links below.
In case you missed here is additional information on coco plums
- Growing Coco Plums
- How to Prune Coco Plum Trees
- How to Grow Coco Plums from Cuttings
- Coco Plum Health Benefits
The final word on how to grow coco plums from seeds
Make coco plums a part of your garden by following this guide, these edible fruits are so sweet and are a delight, what I love about this plant is that you can get the best of both worlds by growing this tropical evergreen for its fruits or as a clipped hedge. These fruits are grown widely in tropical to sub-tropical regions and are loaded with vitamins that are good for our health. Go ahead and give the growth and care of this edible plant a try and see how easy it is to care for them. Once these fruits are mature or established it’s like set it and forget it because these plants can survive on little water and have no serious know pest issues.
About the author
Norman loves being in the garden, both at home and for his job....
he is 'Natures Little helper' being outdoors, growing his vegetables and flowers from an early age.
Now having spent over 22 years in the profession he want to give some of his knowledge to others...
his vast array of hints and tips you will find scattered over this site will help you no end growing plants in your garden.