Tahina spectabilis

[cfkingfish]

3 gallon plant in very open area of my backyard was covered with a bucket during this cold event, with 29 and 31 lows. It came out looking a little less happy than going in, but still looks pretty darn good!

[Central Floridave]

I've got a small one planted in the ground. It experienced 29 degrees twice this December. It has only been in the ground since last summer (2010). I was out of town so couldn't protect it. But, it looks okay.

[Central Floridave]

that is 29 F not C. (I forget we are on an international forum sometimes). 32F is 0C so it looks like Tahina can take a couple degrees below freezing so far.

[Central Floridave]

New center spear pushing out. Does this make it official? Tahina spectabilis is somewhat cold tolerant?

[ThunderSRQ]

Did it get frost or is it under canopy?

[Central Floridave]

No frost, but open sky above. However, in a wind protected spot between a huge live oak and seagrape hedge. Also, a two story shed is nearby, so it is in a very protected area. I would say the low it saw was at least 30F.

[kirkhutch]

Any more info on the cold tolerance of this species ? 

[Fusca]

This Tahina has been exposed to 27°F unprotected (advective freeze) each of the past 3 winters in Harlingen, Texas with little to no damage.  Somewhat protected spot with minimal overhead canopy.  Same palm survived 24°F in a pot during 2021 and a larger in-ground Tahina also survived.  They have more cold hardiness than most would imagine!

[Josue Diaz]

I'm curious how well this handles prolonged cold & wet. In both FL & South TX, a freeze might be followed by warm weather, where on the West Coast, prolonged cold & wet conditions might affect it differently. 

 

[Central Floridave]

Feb 1 2026.  2am 31F, 6am 27F, 10am 32F.  Super windy Advective freeze and long duration. Any water in yard froze.  40 foot tall coconut above fronds are fried.  In a well protected spot. But never watered or fertilized.   Fronds show damage.  Does it recover?  Prob not.  2nd photo of super tall coconut that’s survived a long time.  

[Central Floridave]

It has an emerging spear.  But, I doubt this palm survives.