Potted coconut winter care

[TJ_Palmetto]

I live in Charlottesville VA zone 7b and I've had this sprouted coconut outside in full sun all summer. It's been loving life and doubled in size! I'm dreading the day it'll have to come inside because I've heard coconuts can be a struggle indoors. I've been able to overwinter a majesty palm successfully so I'm hoping it'll be pretty similar. Any advice would be much appreciated. It's been fertilized with Espoma palm tone and repotted once since I bought this guy.

[Dimimelbourne]

On 9/20/2025 at 2:56 AM, TJ_Palmetto said:

I live in Charlottesville VA zone 7b and I've had this sprouted coconut outside in full sun all summer. It's been loving life and doubled in size! I'm dreading the day it'll have to come inside because I've heard coconuts can be a struggle indoors. I've been able to overwinter a majesty palm successfully so I'm hoping it'll be pretty similar. Any advice would be much appreciated. It's been fertilized with Espoma palm tone and repotted once since I bought this guy.

There’s a lot of people experimenting with these indoors here. Have you seen any videos by tropical plant party on YouTube? There is a video about wintering a coconut indoors. He says he keeps it on the slightly dryer side to mimic a “dry season” interesting as most people will say keep it very moist. Makes sense though, with less light and air flow etc 🤷🏻‍♂️

[PalmatierMeg]

Just curious: why is there almost no soil in that big pot? What is that almost-nonexistent soil composted of? 

First of all, coconuts are uber tropical. They need high heat (think 85F and up during the day, 70sF+ at night), high humidity, sunlight or high artificial light. They are sensitive not only to "cold" but are also "cool sensitive". Constant temps below 70F will kill them over time. Cold rain will kill them. You must meet their needs or they will not meet your wants. You can't negotiate with them. So, get out the humidifier, grow lights, mini-greenhouse 

I would repot the seedling in a loose, coarse, free-draining medium with good drainage holes. Never let the palm sit in stagnant water. I include coco coir and perlite in my mix. Dollar store houseplant soil is nothing but black muck, same for bagged so-called "top soil". Palms need deep pots plus decent soil in them. Check out the roots of your palm. White roots are healthy, black roots indicate rot (I consider dark brown roots the same). More plants die from over watering than under watering so don't leave the watering can sitting out in the open to tempt you. Throwing water and/or fertilizer at a plant for every perceived problem is not always the answer. Check for insects, mites etc. I buy/mix insecticidal soap solutions to kill pests and to avoid poisons. There are differing opinions on the practice of misting palms. Years ago I did mist but not regularly. Now I don't mist at all. Don't forget, ignore or neglect your coconut. If you must leave town for more than a couple days arrange to have an empathetic friend neighbor look in on the palm while you are gone. Be sure to train them well, write up directions in detail and pray they don't overindulge in booze, and drugs that erase their memory.  A few $$$ in their pocket might keep them agreeable. I don't know how many times I've read/seen people lose very expensive plants because the plant minder decided to trip off to Mexico to meet a cartel. I'm not being snide, just realistic. Stuff happens. You don't leave your pets at home for weeks; a coconut is also a responsibility.

Good luck.