Old Man Palm

Old Man Palm is a slow-growing Cuban fan palm recognized by the shaggy coat of pale brown fibers that surrounds its slender trunk. Its stiff, divided leaves are green above and gray to silvery beneath, giving a mature specimen a distinctive, textured crown. ## Form and siting The [La Concepción Historical Botanical Garden](https://laconcepcion.malaga.eu/en/the-garden/plant-highlights/plant-detail/Coccothrinax-crinita/) describes the species as endemic to Cuba and notes that old wild palms can reach 10 m; it also reports very slow growth. For garden planning, the [Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens](https://www.pslbg.org/old-man-palm/) gives a more modest 10–15 ft height and 6–10 ft width, while [UF/IFAS](https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/EP009) lists about 15 by 8 ft. Use a warm, open site with full sun or light shade and sandy, sharply drained soil. ## Seasonal interest The [NParks profile](https://www.nparks.gov.sg/florafaunaweb/flora/2/6/2614) describes cream to yellow flowers and purple fruit. The trunk fibers and fan foliage provide most of the year-round ornamental effect. ## Maintenance Water regularly while the palm establishes, then allow the well-drained root zone to dry between irrigations. Remove only dead fronds and keep the fibrous trunk intact; its slow growth means recovery from damage takes time.