Arecaceae
Kumaon Palm (Trachycarpus takil)
Trachycarpus takil
An easy, very cold-hardy garden palm: full sun or part shade (light shade when young), well-drained soil and regular watering in the growing season without waterlogging. It takes hard frost, around -14 °C or lower, but fleece young plants in extreme cold and shelter it from strong wind to keep the leaves from tearing. Slow growing.
Every 7 days
Bright indirect
-14° - °C
% - %
Categories
What is Kumaon palm?
Kumaon palm (Trachycarpus takil) is a easy-care plant from the Arecaceae family. Trachycarpus takil is a fan palm in the family Arecaceae, endemic to the Himalaya in the Kumaon region (Uttarakhand, northern India) and neighbouring western Nepal, where it grows at 1,800-2,700 m in cool, moist oak and rhododendron forest that gets snow every winter. It has a single trunk covered i...
Kumaon palm grows up to 15.0m, spread of 180cm, watering every 7 days. It is not suitable for indoor environments and safe for pets.
Unlike many tropical plants, Kumaon palm tolerates watering mistakes. Best for beginners. Unlike many popular species, Kumaon palm is safe to keep around pets.
How to Care for Kumaon palm?
TLDR: Kumaon palm needs Bright indirect, watering every 7 days, and temperatures between -14-30°C with 40-70% humidity.
How Often Should You Water Kumaon palm?
Water regularly in spring and summer, about once a week in dry weather, letting the top layer of soil dry between waterings. Established plants tolerate some drought. Soggy soil rots the roots, especially in young plants.
How Much Light Does Kumaon palm Need?
Full sun to part shade. Young plants prefer light shade; in hot, dry climates a little shade also helps.
What Is the Best Soil for Kumaon palm?
Well-drained soil, sandy to loamy, with organic matter. It tolerates clay if water does not pool.
What Pot Should You Use for Kumaon palm?
While young, a deep, wide pot with good drainage holes and a free-draining mix; it is a garden palm and should go in the ground as it grows.
What Is Kumaon palm and Where Does It Come From?
Trachycarpus takil is a fan palm in the family Arecaceae, endemic to the Himalaya in the Kumaon region (Uttarakhand, northern India) and neighbouring western Nepal, where it grows at 1,800-2,700 m in cool, moist oak and rhododendron forest that gets snow every winter. It has a single trunk covered in tightly clasping chestnut-brown fibre and, with time, reaches 10-15 m. The fan leaves, almost three-quarters of a circle, are 1-1.2 m across and split to the middle into 45-50 stiff segments that do not droop at the tips. It is dioecious (separate male and female plants). It ranks among the most cold-hardy tall-trunked palms. In the trade it is often confused with Trachycarpus fortunei, and plants sold as "takil" are sometimes another species.
How to Propagate Kumaon palm?
Seeds
Germination is slow and uneven. Green fruit does not germinate and overwatering rots the seeds.
- 1 Use seeds from fully ripe, dark purple to almost black fruit
- 2 Soak them in water for about 2 days
- 3 Sow in a light mix such as coir, kept moist but not wet
- 4 Keep warm and be patient; pot on once the seedling has a few leaves
Materials needed:
How Big Does Kumaon palm Grow?
TLDR: Kumaon palm can reach up to 15.0m tall with Slow growth rate.
Max height
15.0m
Spread
1.8m
Growth rate
Slow
Foliage
Evergreen
Plant Uses
Ornamental
Great for decoration
Is your plant showing symptoms?
Click on the symptom to discover possible causes:
What Diseases Commonly Affect Kumaon palm?
TLDR: Kumaon palm is susceptible to 1 known diseases. Monitor regularly for early detection.
Fun Facts
It grows in Himalayan forests where it snows every winter
It was thought to be nearly extinct in the wild and was rediscovered in 1991
Seed sold as takil was often from another palm, Trachycarpus fortunei
Frequently asked questions
Is Trachycarpus takil frost hardy?
How is Trachycarpus takil different from Trachycarpus fortunei?
How tall does the Kumaon palm get?
How should I water Trachycarpus takil?
Compare with similar plants
| Attribute | Difficulty | Light | Watering | Pet Safe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Field Maple | Easy | Bright indirect | 14d | ✓ |
| Iberian Houseleek | Easy | Direct sun | 14d | ✓ |
| Silver Birch | Easy | Direct sun | 14d | ✓ |
| Common Blanketflower | Easy | Direct sun | 10d | ✓ |
