Pacaya Palm

Pacaya palm is a tropical palm native from southern Mexico through Central America to western Colombia. Its palm foliage gives a lush accent in warm, frost-free gardens, and its immature male flower clusters are also harvested as food in parts of its native range. ## Form and garden use Kew accepts the name *Chamaedorea tepejilote* and places the species in wet tropical habitats. It may grow as a solitary or clustering palm depending on its form; the catalog’s species-level identity does not specify a selected food form. Use it as a sheltered tropical foliage plant where winter temperatures remain warm, or grow it in a container that can be protected from cold. ## Site and seasonal care The species is associated with humid tropical conditions, so provide bright filtered light or partial shade, warmth, and evenly moist but freely draining organic soil. Do not treat the species’ reported maximum height as a representative landscape size; mature growth varies with habitat and cultivated form. A research study reports that cultivated pacaya palms may produce larger male inflorescences than wild plants. ## Maintenance Keep the root zone consistently moist during active growth without leaving the pot or planting site waterlogged. Remove only dead fronds, taking care around the petioles. Food use is specific to the immature male inflorescence and local preparation practices; do not assume every plant or flower is harvest-ready.