Arenga pinnata
 
Common Names Sugar Palm, Kaong Palm, Black Sugar Palm, Aren Palm
 
Zones 10A–12
 
A towering, solitary palm native to tropical Asia, Arenga pinnata is cultivated for its sweet sap, edible starch, and fibrous trunk. Known for its dramatic black leaf bases and massive, arching fronds, it’s a staple in agroforestry and traditional landscapes across Southeast Asia. Monocarpic by nature, it flowers once and then dies, but its long lifespan and economic value make it a vital species in tropical cultivation.
 
Key Features
Growth Habit: Solitary; slow to moderate growth; monocarpic
Height: Up to 60 ft (18 m) in habitat; 30–50 ft in cultivation
Trunk: Thick, 15–20 in diameter; covered in black fibers and spines
Leaves: Pinnate, arching fronds up to 12 m long; leaflets dark green above, silvery beneath
Petiole: Unarmed; leaf bases densely fibrous and persistent
Inflorescence: Showy yellow flowers; axillary spikes emerge from crown downward over years
Fruit: Oval, red to purple when ripe; ~5 cm diameter; contains 2–3 seeds
Ecology: Native to Southeast Asia; thrives from sea level to 1400 m elevation; often found on denuded hillsides and riverbanks2
 
Growing Conditions
Light: Full sun to light shade
Watering: Regular; prefers moist, well-drained soil
Soil: Rich loam; tolerates poor soils and erosion-prone sites
Temperature: Ideal range 70–90°F (21–32°C); sensitive below 32°F
Humidity: High; prefers tropical humidity
Propagation: By seed; germination in 6–12 weeks
Tolerance: Resistant to drought and poor soils; sensitive to frost
 
Landscape Use Best suited for tropical agroforestry, large estates, and restoration projects. Pairs well with Musa spp., Pandanus amaryllifolius, and Hibiscus tiliaceus.