How to Germinate a Coconut

It's easy to germinate a fresh coconut. The not-so-easy part is waiting for the blessed event to occur, which may be nearly impossible for the impatient gardener. It takes three to seven months for a frond to emerge from the coconut from the time that you plant the gigantic seed. Any coconut that you find on the ground should be ready to plant because they don't fall from the tree until they're mature.

Fresh coconut
Bucket
Water
14-inch pot
Small stones
Potting soil

Instructions

- 1
  Choose a coconut that has recently fallen from a tree. Shake the nut vigorously. If you can hear sloshing liquid, the seed is viable. Do not remove the husk.
- 2
  Soak the coconut in a bucket of water for three days.
- 3
  Cover the bottom of a 14-inch pot with small stones. This provides satisfactory drainage. Fill the pot to about 1 inch from the rim with well-draining potting soil. Plant the coconut pointed end down. Leave the top one-third of the nut exposed above the soil surface.
- 4
  Set the coconut in a warm, brightly lit spot out of direct sun. The temperature should never drop below 70 F. It's best if the temperatures rise to above 80 F frequently.
- 5
  Water the coconut well to thoroughly moisten the soil, but don't make it soggy or wet. Keep the soil evenly moist and never let it dry out. Your coconut should germinate, split open and begin sending up fronds in three to seven months.

Information on Growing Seedless Watermelons

How to Grow Dandelion From Seed

Growing Edibles