True hardiness of Beccariophoenix alfredii?

[Haddock]

Beccariophoenix alfredii aka “Madagascar high land coconut” is a interesting palm, but it’s cold hardiness hasn’t been fully tested. I heard it’s hardy to the lower 20s when it’s young but what about mature specimens, how cold can they handle?

[Collectorpalms]

Unfortunately I had couple nice potted ones fry in about a 27f and a frost that only last a few hours. Cold enough to know they would never work in zone 9a in southeast Texas.

I do wonder if a moderate wrapping  could get them through most winters until they get too large.

ill stay down the butia hybrid path, where they only need protecting during a 20 year event.

Edited March 2, 2021 by Collectorpalms

[Fusca]

2 hours ago, Haddock said:

Beccariophoenix alfredii aka “Madagascar high land coconut” is a interesting palm, but it’s cold hardiness hasn’t been fully tested. I heard it’s hardy to the lower 20s when it’s young but what about mature specimens, how cold can they handle?

I think you might have heard wrong.  It might be hardy to lower 20's when it's mature but like Ryan mentioned it's pretty wimpy as a young palm.  General consensus is that it is a zone 9b palm - there's plenty of threads regarding its hardiness or lack thereof.

[Meangreen94z]

The small palm I was going to give Jon(Fusca) was torched at 33*F with frost. I’m still waiting to see if it will recover. If you are in South Carolina don’t waste your money. 

[JohnAndSancho]

*removes b. Alfredii from online shopping cart*

[franco toms]

Proveniente da una serra ha preso 0 gradi centigradi alcune notti. coperto anche con l' agritessuto . Fritto per il 70% . E la terza pianta tentata che fa la stessa fine . Non sono resistenti come dicono  . Almeno gli esemplari piccoli non tollerano il freddo .

[Meangreen94z]

6 hours ago, franco toms said:

Proveniente da una serra ha preso 0 gradi centigradi alcune notti. coperto anche con l' agritessuto . Fritto per il 70% . E la terza pianta tentata che fa la stessa fine . Non sono resistenti come dicono  . Almeno gli esemplari piccoli non tollerano il freddo .

Coming from a greenhouse it took 0 degrees Celsius some nights. also covered with non-woven fabric. 70% Fried. And the third plant tried that ends up the same. They are not as strong as they say. At least the small specimens do not tolerate the cold

[Patrick]

I just noticed frost damage on mine yesterday. I wasn't paying attention. We had a cold snap in late December I think, so this must have happened then. We got down to probably 30 or maybe a little less. My outdoor thermometer says 32, but I don't have a date. This one has been in the ground probably 2 years from a 15 gallon. There is overhead protection from a Queen canopy. Sorry the Phoenix rupicola photo bombed the pictures. It was only these outer fronds that were growing toward the concrete that burned. Everything else growing in other directions toward dirt/ shrubbery looks pretty good. Spear is intact.

Edited February 16, 2023 by Patrick

[Sabal_Louisiana]

They don't do well in wet cold either.  Would look rough in New Orleans after a winter that stayed above 28-30. An established specimen might come through the mid 20s if the cold is brief and it stays dry but that's about it.

[Borderzoner]

There's a couple palm sellers here and their intermediate stage (just trunking, spear bases about 7 ft high) b.alfredii's got completely torched at 19F. As did all the queen palms too. One alfredii is in the ground. I am curious who will push new growth in spring, if any. Might only be the big queens that survive this one. Iffy even there, I think. 

[Meangreen94z]

5 minutes ago, Borderzoner said:

There's a couple palm sellers here and their intermediate stage (just trunking, spear bases about 7 ft high) b.alfredii's got completely torched at 19F. As did all the queen palms too. One alfredii is in the ground. I am curious who will push new growth in spring, if any. Might only be the big queens that survive this one. Iffy even there, I think. 

19°F your alfredii are dead, especially if in containers. Queens are likely dead too

[donalt]

becariophoenix alfredii are not cold hardy to low 20s at any size.....they seem to be about same hardiness as foxtails. They don't like frost and no cold less than a rare upper 20s. 

[07vette]

Do yall think it could grow in a climate like south padre island?

[idontknowhatnametuse]

5 hours ago, 07vette said:

Do yall think it could grow in a climate like south padre island?

If coconuts grow there long term of course a Beccariophoenix would grow in there. I'm not sure if they are salt tolerant like coconuts though.

[Tom in Tucson]

On 3/24/2025 at 3:42 AM, donalt said:

becariophoenix alfredii are not cold hardy to low 20s at any size.....they seem to be about same hardiness as foxtails. They don't like frost and no cold less than a rare upper 20s. 

My observations:

Seedlings hate subfreezing temps (0-2 years). 3 seedlings died shortly after the temps were 23-29°.

5 or more years old they are clearly safe for thriving in USDA 9b or better climates.

I still own 2 that were around 5 years old when I planted them 10 years ago. One developed bud rot 2 years ago. Last summer it came back to life (the old leaves never dried up). Last week the new leaf suffered a thrashing by a hungry pair of Abert's Towhee parents trying to fill some little bills. The other 1 is as remarkable as my best Patrick S. hybrids. 

Hi 82° Lo 47° 

[donalt]

becarriophoenix alfredii, orlando, florida, 29 march 2025. age (unknown but about 10 years). they do love full sun!

[Austinpalm]

On 3/24/2025 at 4:23 PM, 07vette said:

Do yall think it could grow in a climate like south padre island?

I had one on SPI for about 2 years.  Was about 10-15 gallon sized.  Grew well, no issues.  Handled cold better than similar sized coconuts.  Brought it with me in the move to Port Isabel.  Still in the pot.  Last I saw, it was doing well.  Going to put it on the bayside of my yard as it does not seem to have issues with salt.  Coconuts will go on opposite side (south) to be just a touch warmer.

[ahosey01]

On 3/24/2025 at 9:29 PM, idontknowhatnametuse said:

If coconuts grow there long term of course a Beccariophoenix would grow in there. I'm not sure if they are salt tolerant like coconuts though.

The big problem for these down here in the valley is the alkalinity and saline / sodic soils.  There are a few good looking ones and the others I've seen look like shit.