How Long Does It Take For A Coconut To Grow

Once you have planted your coconut tree, how long does it take for a coconut to grow and how long can you harvest these fruits from this tree?

How Long Does It Take For A Coconut To Grow – Factors Affecting The Growth Of This Tree

There are various factors that determine the growth of a coconut tree. The main factors are climate, soil, fertilizer, and water.

Climate

Climate is the most important factor that determines the growth of coconut trees. It depends on whether it is a tropical or sub-tropical climate. A tropical climate has no harsh winters. In these areas, the temperature never goes below 15 degrees Celsius. Sub-tropical climates have winter temperatures that fall between 15 and 35 degrees Celsius. These climates are also known as monsoon climates.

Climate determines the amount of rainfall in a particular area. Rainfall is essential for the growth of coconuts. If there is no rain, the tree will not grow. So, it is advisable to buy a coconut tree from a nursery that sells trees under a wide range of climatic conditions. If you want to grow coconut trees in your home garden, you need to find out whether you have a tropical or a sub-tropical climate.

You can find out this by checking the weather report. If there is no rain for two consecutive days, it means that you live in a tropical climate. If the temperature is high for two consecutive days, it means that you live in a sub-tropical climate.

Soil

Soil is another important factor in the growth of coconut trees. A coconut tree grows best in well-drained soil with good air circulation. In such soil, the roots can easily breathe. Soil is classified into four types: Sandy soil, Clay soil, Sand clay soil, and Peaty soil.

The first three are heavy soils and are suitable for growing coconut trees. The fourth type is light and is suitable for growing vegetables like tomatoes. If you plant a coconut tree in your garden, then you should find out about the type of soil in your garden before buying a tree. The nurseryman will be able to help you with this.

Fertilizer

Fertilizer is another important factor in determining the growth of coconut trees. You must use a fertilizer that has been specially formulated for coconuts. Coconut trees require more nitrogen than any other tree. You can buy a fertilizer that contains a mixture of Nitrogen and Phosphorous or Nitrogen and Potassium.

Water

Water is the most important factor in determining the growth of a coconut tree. If the tree gets enough water, it will grow fast and produce a large number of coconuts. But if the tree does not get enough water, it will wither away and die. If you plant a coconut tree in your garden, you should ensure that there is a lot of water flowing through the garden.

How Long Does It Take For A Coconut To Grow From Seed

A coconut tree takes about 4 to 5 years when growing from seed to mature. It takes 3 to 4 years to produce fruits, and from there on the fruit is produced every year.  Coconut fruits are produced each year during the monsoon season.  The fruiting season starts with the coconut tree producing flowers and continues until the fruits mature and ripen.

Coconut trees have been known to be able to live up to 300 years.  Coconuts were first brought to India by the ancient Greeks and Romans. The earliest written records of coconuts in India were found on the Malabar Coast in Tamil Nadu.

How Long Does It Take For A Coconut To Grow From Seed

Learn more about: A Guide On How To Grow Hops From Seed

Nutrition

Coconut is a drupe, containing an outer shell or husk, an inner kernel (endosperm), and a nutritious liquid known as coconut milk.

The kernel is composed of white, yellow, and brown flesh, and contains about 50% oil by weight, which is a rich source of medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs) (up to 60% of the total fat).

The oil contains the saturated fatty acids lauric acid, myristic acid, palmitic acid, and stearic acid, and the monounsaturated fatty acids oleic acid, palmitoleic acid, and vaccenic acid.

In addition to these fatty acids, the kernel also contains significant amounts of minerals such as potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorous, iron, copper, zinc, manganese, iodine, selenium, and small amounts of vitamins A, B1, B2, and D.

The oil content in coconut is higher than that of palm fruit, making it an important source of edible fats. The coconut oil has a melting point of 31–33 °C (87–91 °F). It is solid at room temperature and liquefies when heated to body temperature.

Final Words

So how long does it take for a coconut to grow?  This depends on the growing conditions you provide your tree.  However, if you provide it with the best conditions it will mature in about 3 years.

Read more about: How Long Do Palm Trees Take To Grow? 

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take coconut to bear fruit?

There are two main types of coconut: a flowering coconut (the one that bears fruit) and a fruiting coconut. The flowering coconut is the one that bears fruit. It usually takes around two years from planting to harvest. The fruiting coconut is planted to produce coconut oil and is harvested before it starts bearing fruit. The average time between planting and harvesting for a fruiting coconut is about five years. 

How long does a coconut palm take to grow?

The growth of a coconut palm is divided into two stages: vegetative and reproductive. During the first stage, the coconut tree grows rapidly in the form of leaves, roots and stems. This stage is called vegetative growth. In the second stage, the tree produces flowers and fruits. This stage is called reproductive growth.

Can I grow a coconut tree from a coconut?

Yes, you can grow a coconut tree from a coconut. You need to cut the coconut open and remove the husk. Then, you can plant the coconut shell with coconut water inside. 

What is the lifespan of a coconut tree?

A coconut tree lives for up to 400 years. However, you can expect the tree to live for about 200 years.