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African oil palm Elaeis guineensis

African oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Arecaceae family, native to West and Central Africa. It grows 8–20 m (26–66 ft) tall and 6–10 m (20–33 ft) wide, wants full sun and high water, and is hardy to about 10 °C (50 °F). Space plants about 8 m (26 ft) apart.

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African oil palm (Elaeis guineensis)
Photo: (c) Fabrício Mil Homens Riella, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Fabrício Mil Homens Riella · CC-BY

African oil palm at a glance

TypePerennial tree, evergreen
FamilyArecaceae
Mature height8–20 m (26–66 ft)
Mature spread6–10 m (20–33 ft)
Spacing8 m (26 ft) centre to centre
SunFull sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day
WaterHigh; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance moderate
Soil pH4–7
Cold hardinessAbout 10 °C (50 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 12)
Heat stressLikely above about 38 °C (100 °F)
Floweringfrom about March for 17–43 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones)
Wind toleranceLow
Pollinator valueLow
EdibleYes: fruit pulp (palm oil), kernel
Native toWest and Central Africa
Common in gardens of🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇸🇬 Singapore, 🇲🇾 Malaysia, 🇳🇬 Nigeria
Invasive inBrazil (Bahia coast): check local rules before planting

Is African oil palm toxic?

No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.

If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.

Companion planting: what to grow with African oil palm

No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and high water.

See African oil palm in a botanical garden

It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:

Questions about African oil palm

How far apart should I plant African oil palm?
About 8 m (26 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 6–10 m (20–33 ft).
Does African oil palm need full sun?
Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
How much water does African oil palm need?
High water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance moderate.
How cold-hardy is African oil palm?
It tolerates about 10 °C (50 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 12.
When does African oil palm flower?
From about March for 17–43 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
Is African oil palm poisonous to cats and dogs?
For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
What grows well with African oil palm?
There is no well-documented companion pairing for African oil palm. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (high).

Sources and evidence

Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).

Notes and assumptions

Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.

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