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Originating from the South Pacific, the Niu Leka or Fiji Dwarf is one of the world’s shortest and most compact coconut palm trees.
In fact, the term ‘Niu Leka’ literally translates to “short coconut” in the Fijian language.
Between the tree’s amazingly slow growth habit and remarkable disease resistance, I have no problem saying that the Fiji Dwarf Coconut is probably one of the best coconuts out there (especially for those living in Florida).
That said, this grow guide will cover everything that you need to know about Fiji Dwarf Coconuts:
Table of Contents
- Fiji Dwarf Coconut Palm Tree Growth Habit & Fruit Production
- Fiji Dwarf Coconut Palm Season (And When To Pick)
- Fiji Dwarf Coconut Palm Disease Resistance
- Fiji Dwarf Coconut Palm Tree For Sale (Where To Find)
- Conclusion
Fiji Dwarf Coconut Palm Tree Growth Habit & Fruit Production
The Fiji Dwarf Coconut is considered a dwarf palm tree that will eventually grow to between 30 – 50 feet tall, with a canopy spread ranging between 15 – 25 feet.
Additionally, the tree’s annual growth rate can range anywhere between 0.5 – 1 foot.
When it comes to slow-growing coconut palms, the Fiji Dwarf is the winner by a long shot. I have personally seen examples of 20 to 30 year old Fiji Dwarf Coconut Palm Trees that were less than 10 – 15 feet tall. For a coconut palm, that’s INSANE.
The palm tree itself features a thick, crooked trunk with a very tight canopy composed of broad leaves. Because the Fiji Dwarf is well adapted to Florida soil, the leaves generally tend to stay greener and display fewer nutrient deficiency issues compared to other coconut palm trees.
Between the thicker trunk and tighter canopy, Fiji Dwarf Coconuts are very resistant to hurricane/storm damage.
Furthermore, the palm’s petioles can either be bronze or green, depending on the sub-cultivar.
But Matthew, what gives? ‘Fiji Dwarf’ literally has ‘dwarf’ in the name, and you’re saying it can get that tall?
Unfortunately, yes.
That is because, in the context of coconut palms, the ‘dwarf’ label indicates the tree’s size at which the cultivar starts producing coconuts, not its final growth size.
However, it’s important to keep things in perspective. While a Malayan Dwarf might grow 60 – 80 feet tall over a period of 30 – 40 years (assuming it doesn’t get knocked down by a hurricane first), a Fiji Dwarf may only reach 10 – 20 feet tall in the same time period.
This very desirable growth rate (among other reasons we will soon discuss!) makes the Fiji Dwarf Coconut both an expensive palm and an attractive target for scammers.
In addition to buying the palm tree from a reputable nursery, here are some visual cues we can use to verify that a Fiji Dwarf is indeed a pure Fiji Dwarf (and not a hybrid):
- The leaflets on the palm fronds should be very tight (you shouldn’t be able to get a finger through them).
- The growth rings on the trunk should also be very tight as well (centimeters apart, not inches).
- For this reason, I recommend opting to buy a more mature specimen. While you may save money on a recently sprouted palm, you can’t be 100% certain that it is a pure Fiji Dwarf until you can see several tight clusters of growth rings on the grey wood.
- The palm tree’s canopy should have compact and tight branching (you shouldn’t be able to see through it).
- The palm tree’s petioles should be either bronze or green.
From a fruit production perspective, I have observed that Fiji Dwarfs usually begin producing coconuts once the palm tree is around 3 – 4 years old or has approximately 0.5 – 2 feet of grey wood.
Fiji Dwarf Coconut Palm Season (And When To Pick)
Unlike traditional fruit trees, coconuts do not have a single defined season.
Instead, coconut palms produce all-year round. Although there are clear seasonal variations in overall fruit yield that fluctuate with climatic conditions.
In Florida, you can expect a Fiji Dwarf’s overall yield to follow a pattern similar to this:
However, when exactly we harvest our coconuts—and subsequently what to look for—will ultimately depend on our end goal. For homeowners, this typically translates to either wanting coconut water or coconut copra (meat).
If you want the best coconut water, here are some of my best harvesting tips:
- You need to harvest the coconuts before they fall naturally. This should be done 6 – 7 months after flowering.
- Depending on the sub-cultivar, Fiji Dwarf Coconuts should be smooth and either green or bronze.
- While the coconuts can be harvested when they are beginning to darken and become wrinklier, the water inside will be saltier and tangier, which can be overwhelming for some.
- While the coconuts can be harvested when they are beginning to darken and become wrinklier, the water inside will be saltier and tangier, which can be overwhelming for some.
- Slap the coconut (seriously!).
- If you feel some vibrations and hear water sloshing around, that indicates that the inner shell hasn’t formed yet, and you’ll be able to open up the fruit without a machete.
- Note: Any coconut in the ‘Drinking Coconut’ stage can be opened without the need for a machete.
- The fruit feels heavy for its size.
Honestly, when it comes to coconut water, Fiji Dwarf Coconuts are my absolute favorite. And if you can time your harvesting perfectly (especially for the summer nuts), the water will be incredibly sweet 😀
This holds true whether you have a bronze or green Fiji Dwarf Coconut; I have personally never tasted a difference between the two.
On the other hand, if you are growing coconuts for their meat (Fiji Dwarf is a great option because it bears large fruit), here are some of my best harvesting tips:
- The coconut should be harvested 11 – 12 months after flowering.
- At this stage, there will still be some salty/tangy water present. However, there will be substantially more copra formation (the white part we eat) compared to the jelly-like and tender copra found in the ‘Drinking Coconuts’ stage.
- At this stage, there will still be some salty/tangy water present. However, there will be substantially more copra formation (the white part we eat) compared to the jelly-like and tender copra found in the ‘Drinking Coconuts’ stage.
- From a color perspective, Fiji Dwarf Coconuts should be brown and wrinkly.
- Knock on the coconut with your fist (seriously!).
- There should be a woody and hollow sound, indicating that the inner shell has hardened. You should also hear little to no water sloshing around in the fruit (due to the development of a thicker copra).
- At this stage, you’ll 100% need a machete to de-husk the coconut.
- Fun fact: If you allow the coconut to germinate, upon opening the nut, you’ll be greeted with a sprouted coconut that has a mildly sweet and earthy flavor with a fibrous, sponge-like texture (it’s VERY good!).
Regardless of when we decide to harvest, my go-to method for harvesting coconuts is by using a pole saw. However, please exercise great caution, as harvesting coconuts can be very dangerous.
In fact, coconuts kill more people than sharks every year.
Fiji Dwarf Coconut Palm Disease Resistance
The main disease impacting coconut palms across Florida is Lethal Yellowing (LY). In a nutshell, LY is a disease that causes yellowing of leaves, premature fruit drop, and eventual death of the tree.
Once a coconut palm is infected with the disease, it cannot be cured.
Remarkably, Fiji Dwarf Coconut Palms are known for their very high resistance to Lethal Yellowing. In fact, “not a single Fiji Dwarf has died of Lethal Yellowing” at the USDA’s Subtropical Horticulture Research Station in Miami.
Therefore, strictly from a disease resistance perspective, pure Fiji Dwarf Coconuts are the best coconut cultivar to grow in Florida.
However, I want to specifically highlight that this exceptional disease resistance only applies to pure Fiji Dwarfs. Hybrid Fiji Dwarf Coconut Palm Trees, which result from cross-pollination between a Fiji Dwarf and another coconut cultivar, do not possess the same superior disease resistance as pure Fiji Dwarfs.
Therefore, make sure you are buying from a reputable nursery!
Fiji Dwarf Coconut Palm Tree For Sale (Where To Find)
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Conclusion
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