Copernicia hospita
 
Common Names Cuban Wax Palm, Guano Espinoso, Blue Yarey Palm
 
Zones 10A–11
 
A medium-sized fan palm endemic to Cuba, Copernicia hospita is prized for its circular, waxy blue-gray leaves and smooth, columnar trunk. Its rigid crown and silvery foliage make it one of the most visually striking palms in cultivation. Native to dry savannas and coastal woodlands, it thrives in full sun and poor soils, making it ideal for minimalist landscapes and collectors seeking bold form2.
 
Key Features
Growth Habit: Solitary; slow-growing
Height: Up to 26 ft (8 m); crown spread ~12 ft (3.6 m)
Trunk: Smooth; pale gray to white; up to 12 in (30 cm) diameter
Leaves: Costapalmate; stiff; circular; waxy blue-gray; up to 40 leaves form a symmetrical crown
Inflorescence: Bisexual flowers; dainty brown blooms on hairy branches; extends beyond crown
Fruit: Black; marble-like; ~1 in (2.5 cm) diameter
Ecology: Native to open savannas and coastal regions of Cuba; often found near mangrove swamps and limestone hills2
 
Growing Conditions
Light: Full sun
Watering: Moderate; drought-tolerant once established
Soil: Well-drained; alkaline or sandy; avoid rich soils
Temperature: Hardy to ~26°F (–3°C); foliage may burn in hard freezes
Humidity: Moderate; tolerates seasonal dryness
Propagation: By seed; germinates in 4–12 weeks
Tolerance: High drought and salt tolerance; sensitive to overwatering
 
Landscape Use Ideal for dry tropical gardens, coastal plantings, and collectors seeking symmetrical, waxy foliage. Pairs well with Copernicia baileyana, Coccothrinax spissa, and Pseudophoenix sargentii.