Copernicia rigida

Common Names Jata Palm, Cuban Stiff-leaved Palm, Stiff Wax Palm

Zones 10A–11

A rare, medium-sized fan palm endemic to Cuba, Copernicia rigida is prized for its sculptural form and extreme resilience. Its wedge-shaped, shuttlecock-like crown of stiff, upright leaves gives it a dramatic silhouette, especially in arid or serpentine landscapes. Though slow-growing, it’s a collector’s favorite for dry tropical gardens and conservation-focused plantings.

Key Features

• Growth Habit: Solitary; extremely slow growth

• Height: 15–25 ft (4.5–7.5 m); trunk diameter ~8 in (20 cm)

• Trunk: Straight, gray; retains old leaf bases forming a brown skirt

• Leaves: Palmate; steeply wedge-shaped; rigid; gray-green to bluish with orange streaks in eastern forms

• Petiole: Short; armed with sharp spines

• Inflorescence: Bisexual flowers; small, white; emerges among leaves

• Fruit: Small, black; round; wildlife-friendly

• Ecology: Native to ultramafic soils in Cuba’s “cuabales” and serpentine barrens; tolerates high magnesium and heavy metals

Growing Conditions

• Light: Full sun

• Watering: Low; drought-tolerant

• Soil: Prefers rocky, nutrient-poor, well-drained soils

• Temperature: Hardy to ~28°F (–2°C); sensitive to frost

• Humidity: Moderate to low; tolerates edaphic drought

• Propagation: By seed; germinates in <3 months; extremely slow juvenile growth

• Tolerance: High drought and metal tolerance; best in dry tropics

Landscape Use Ideal for xeric gardens, conservation landscapes, and collectors seeking rare Cuban endemics. Pairs well with Coccothrinax miraguama, Zombia antillarum, and Copernicia baileyana.