Hi folks, I'm planting out part of my property with a Dwarf Coconut grove. So far, I have found five distinct dwarf cultivars to try. Interested to see what else is out in the world...I'm sure there are quite a few other dwarf varieties...looking to obtain some if anybody has fruiting specimens... :-)

Golden Malay for example...

Have you tried Niu Leka (Fiji Dwarf)? It's slow to get going, but in a tropical climate it does get going once it's in full sun. And Red Spicata stays pretty small but also has small fruit comparatively. Are you planning on monetizing the coconuts produced? If you're thinking about selling them for coconut water, make sure you understand the taste profiles, there are vast differences. When I lived in the Florida Keys, the guys on our house-renovation crew were mostly Hondurans, and they felt the Malay Gold were the "primo" coconuts for water. My own taste was very different and I found the "spicy" quality off-putting. Likewise I just purchased a coconut from a health-food store, a supposed "premium" Thai variety, Nam Hom, and I absolutely hated the taste of it. The water has a very "floral" taste which to me negates the positive qualities of coconut water. But obviously I see things very differently! I personally prefer Green Malayan water, also the Panama and Jamaican talls are good with a bit of sweetness, and there is also a very prolific Green-Malay type that tastes like it's carbonated when you open the nut and drink it, it's bizarre but very refreshing! My experiences are largely based on the trees I grew in the Florida Keys, and soil/nutrient levels may influence taste as well. I don't know how Fiji Dwarf tastes, but the point is, know your audience because not only individuals but whole cultures may have taste biases that influence how profitable you can be in the coconut-water business in a given area.

I tried the Malay dwarf in a subtropical climate and no luck. Both burnt to a crisp in the cold weather.

Dwarf Coconut palms seem like a very good idea for those who can grow them reliably . I learned a bit about the regular Coconut when I visited Kauai in 1998 , a few years after Hurricane Iniki wiped out Poipu and surrounding areas . Some of the resorts had not rebuilt yet and had chain link fences around them so the fruit of the unmaintained palms would not kill someone ( I asked about vandalism and was told the fence was just to keep folks out of the coconut groves). I didn’t realize how dangerous they could be . Most of the residential areas had mounds of Coconuts with a “free” sign on the corner of some streets . They need to be maintained in populated areas. That could be a problem on the very tall ones , unless you were skilled at climbing them . Harry

Edit: I will say fresh coconut is very good! I learned how to open them easily in Morea , with a stick.

On 6/13/2026 at 3:41 AM, mnorell said:

Have you tried Niu Leka (Fiji Dwarf)? It's slow to get going, but in a tropical climate it does get going once it's in full sun. And Red Spicata stays pretty small but also has small fruit comparatively. Are you planning on monetizing the coconuts produced? If you're thinking about selling them for coconut water, make sure you understand the taste profiles, there are vast differences. When I lived in the Florida Keys, the guys on our house-renovation crew were mostly Hondurans, and they felt the Malay Gold were the "primo" coconuts for water. My own taste was very different and I found the "spicy" quality off-putting. Likewise I just purchased a coconut from a health-food store, a supposed "premium" Thai variety, Nam Hom, and I absolutely hated the taste of it. The water has a very "floral" taste which to me negates the positive qualities of coconut water. But obviously I see things very differently! I personally prefer Green Malayan water, also the Panama and Jamaican talls are good with a bit of sweetness, and there is also a very prolific Green-Malay type that tastes like it's carbonated when you open the nut and drink it, it's bizarre but very refreshing! My experiences are largely based on the trees I grew in the Florida Keys, and soil/nutrient levels may influence taste as well. I don't know how Fiji Dwarf tastes, but the point is, know your audience because not only individuals but whole cultures may have taste biases that influence how profitable you can be in the coconut-water business in a given area.

Thanks for the info Michael. Still early days for the new property in Indonesia, and have found five local dwarf varieties there so far. Looking to plant a few of each and then once they fruit, select the best ones...not commercial production, just a hobby farm for a bit of fun. My garden in Darwin will also get some...there are some nice ones growing around the corner...one has pale cream/greenish nuts. I've got some Malay dwarf nuts from the local markets as well.

On 6/13/2026 at 6:31 PM, happypalms said:

I tried the Malay dwarf in a subtropical climate and no luck. Both burnt to a crisp in the cold weather.

Maybe just a tad cool down your way Richard. I had a nice one growing in the Gold Coast Hinterland. They re definitley more tender than regular varieties. I found that an elevated position in all day sun worked well. After I sold up, the renters never watered and it died from dryness.

On 6/13/2026 at 10:35 PM, Harry’s Palms said:

Dwarf Coconut palms seem like a very good idea for those who can grow them reliably . I learned a bit about the regular Coconut when I visited Kauai in 1998 , a few years after Hurricane Iniki wiped out Poipu and surrounding areas . Some of the resorts had not rebuilt yet and had chain link fences around them so the fruit of the unmaintained palms would not kill someone ( I asked about vandalism and was told the fence was just to keep folks out of the coconut groves). I didn’t realize how dangerous they could be . Most of the residential areas had mounds of Coconuts with a “free” sign on the corner of some streets . They need to be maintained in populated areas. That could be a problem on the very tall ones , unless you were skilled at climbing them . Harry

Edit: I will say fresh coconut is very good! I learned how to open them easily in Morea , with a stick.

Yep Harry, the dwarfs are much more manageable 😊

5 minutes ago, Daryl said:

Maybe just a tad cool down your way Richard. I had a nice one growing in the Gold Coast Hinterland. They re definitley more tender than regular varieties. I found that an elevated position in all day sun worked well. After I sold up, the renters never watered and it died from dryness.

They do grow down this way at arrawarra and Woolgoolga on the coast, 15 minutes drive away. Iam just on that edge on the corindi range at 130m elevation. Close but no cigar for me on the coconuts, I had to try, I avoided them for years knowing they won’t grow then the wife decided they make a good birthday present. The coconuts are long gone but iam with the wife still! And I guess the renters never had any interest in gardening, could have been worse marojejya darinii drying up.

A couple of Golden Malay Dwarfs from around Darwin...easy to spot with their slender trunks and leaf form

Interesting varieties I'm going to try... Pandan Wangi is an awesome looking dwarf from Thailand. Also Kelapa Gading looks interesting...called Ivory Coconut as the nuts are ivory coloured.

On 6/15/2026 at 1:34 AM, Daryl said:

A couple of Golden Malay Dwarfs from around Darwin...easy to spot with their slender trunks and leaf form

Where’s Wal? He lives on!

Tim

Red spicata is great!! Almost fluorescent orange colors. This picture is from last year. Planted as a sprout in May 2016, so about 9 years in the picture. A bit bigger now.

15 hours ago, realarch said:

Where’s Wal? He lives on!

Tim

I was just thinking the same thing...is that Wal?