Coccothrinax miraguama
 
Common Names Miraguama Palm, Cuban Silver Palm
 
Zones 10A–11
 
A highly ornamental fan palm endemic to Cuba, Coccothrinax miraguama is prized for its rigid, circular leaves with silvery undersides and its slender trunk wrapped in coarse, dark fibers. It thrives in savannas, open woodlands, and coastal scrub, making it ideal for dry tropical gardens and collectors seeking sculptural foliage.
 
Key Features
Growth Habit: Solitary; slow-growing
Height: Up to 30 ft (9 m); crown spread up to 12 ft (3.6 m)
Trunk: Slender; 4–6 in (10–15 cm) diameter; wrapped in coarse, weathered burlap-like fibers
Leaves: Palmate; 20–30 nearly circular leaves; 40–60 segments; stiff, deeply cut; green above, silvery-white below; up to 5 ft (1.5 m) wide
Inflorescence: Bisexual cream flowers; stalks emerge among the leaves; up to 3 ft (90 cm) long
Fruit: Round; ripens from red to deep purple-black; ~0.5 in (1.2 cm) diameter
Ecology: Native to dry savannas, open woods, and coastal limestone soils across Cuba; adapted to serpentine and rocky substrates
 
Growing Conditions
Light: Full sun
Watering: Fair to moderate; drought-tolerant once established
Soil: Well-drained; sandy, rocky, or limestone-based
Temperature: Hardy to 28°F (–2°C); thrives in warm, dry climates
Humidity: Moderate; tolerates coastal exposure
Propagation: By seed; slow germination; seedlings benefit from partial shade
Tolerance: High drought and salt wind tolerance; sensitive to root disturbance
 
Landscape Use Ideal for dry tropical gardens, coastal plantings, and minimalist designs. Pairs beautifully with Copernicia hospita, Coccothrinax macroglossa 'Azul', and Thrinax radiata.