Palmyra palm (toddy palm, tan) Borassus flabellifer
Palmyra palm (toddy palm, tan) (Borassus flabellifer) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Arecaceae family, native to Indian subcontinent and mainland Southeast Asia to Lesser Sunda Islands (origin uncertain; very ancient cultivation). It grows 15–30 m (49–98 ft) tall and 5–8 m (16–26 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about 2 °C (36 °F). Space plants about 7 m (23 ft) apart.
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Palmyra palm (toddy palm, tan) at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Arecaceae |
| Mature height | 15–30 m (49–98 ft) |
| Mature spread | 5–8 m (16–26 ft) |
| Spacing | 7 m (23 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 8 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5.5–8.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 2 °C (36 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 45 °C (113 °F) |
| Flowering | from about January for 9–17 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Yes: sap (palm sugar, toddy), young seed jelly (lon tan / ice apple), ripe fruit pulp (cakes), seedling shoots |
| Native to | Indian subcontinent and mainland Southeast Asia to Lesser Sunda Islands (origin uncertain; very ancient cultivation) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇮🇳 India, 🇮🇩 Indonesia |
Is Palmyra palm (toddy palm, tan) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not poisonous; fermented sap (toddy) is alcoholic.
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 Palmyra palm (toddy palm, tan)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
Questions about Palmyra palm (toddy palm, tan)
- How far apart should I plant Palmyra palm (toddy palm, tan)?
- About 7 m (23 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 5–8 m (16–26 ft).
- Does Palmyra palm (toddy palm, tan) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 8 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Palmyra palm (toddy palm, tan) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Palmyra palm (toddy palm, tan)?
- It tolerates about 2 °C (36 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10.
- When does Palmyra palm (toddy palm, tan) flower?
- From about January for 9–17 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Palmyra palm (toddy palm, tan) 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. Not poisonous; fermented sap (toddy) is alcoholic.
- What grows well with Palmyra palm (toddy palm, tan)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Palmyra palm (toddy palm, tan). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- PROSEA: Plant Resources of South-East Asia, PROSEA Foundation, Bogor
- EcoCrop crop environmental requirements, FAO
Notes and assumptions
- Separate male and female trees. Tappers climb by bamboo ladders twice a day to collect sap from the flower stalks; the rice-and-palm landscape of Phetchaburi is famous for it. Sri Lanka and Tamil Nadu value it as a state tree. Grows extremely slowly at first.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
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- Date palm Phoenix dactylifera
- Açaí palm Euterpe oleracea
- Mexican fan palm Washingtonia robusta
- African oil palm Elaeis guineensis
- Areca palm (golden cane palm) Dypsis lutescens
- Chilean wine palm Jubaea chilensis
- Joey palm Johannesteijsmannia altifrons