Copernicia prunifera
 
Common Names Carnauba Palm, Brazilian Wax Palm, Tree of Life
 
Zones 10B–11
 
A tall, solitary fan palm native to the semi-arid Caatinga biome of northeastern Brazil, Copernicia prunifera is famed for its heat-resistant wax, harvested from its leaves and used in everything from car polish to candy coatings. Its elegant blue-green crown and spiraled trunk base make it both an economic powerhouse and a striking landscape specimen.
 
Key Features
Growth Habit: Solitary; slow to moderate growth
Height: 30–50 ft (9–15 m); trunk diameter ~10 in (25 cm)
Trunk: Gray; smooth in upper third, spiraled leaf bases in lower two-thirds
Leaves: Costapalmate; blue-green to waxy silver; 3–4 ft wide; deeply divided; ~24 leaves per crown
Petiole: 2–3 ft long; armed with curved spines
Inflorescence: Bisexual flowers; small, white; emerges among leaves
Fruit: Round, black; ~1 in (2.5 cm) diameter; wildlife-friendly
Ecology: Native to flood-prone savannas and river margins; helps prevent erosion and supports biodiversity
 
Growing Conditions
Light: Full sun
Watering: Moderate; drought-tolerant once established
Soil: Adaptable; prefers slightly saline, well-drained soils
Temperature: Hardy to ~30°F (–1°C); sensitive to frost
Humidity: Moderate to high; tolerates seasonal dryness
Propagation: By seed; germinates in 1–4 months; slow juvenile growth
Tolerance: High drought and salt tolerance; tolerates occasional flooding
 
Landscape Use Ideal for tropical estates, commercial landscapes, and collectors seeking economic and ornamental value. Pairs well with Copernicia hospita, Coccothrinax miraguama, and Pseudophoenix sargentii.