There is only one species of Coconut Palm tree in the world, and this is Cocos nucifera. However, many cultivars exist within this species, which bear a wide variety of different types of coconuts. The Coconut Palm cultivars are split into two groups dwarf varieties and tall varieties.
Coconut Palm Trees
Dwarf palms, as the name implies, are small in stature. They typically do not exceed 30 feet and often top out at around 16 feet in height. They have a shorter lifespan than tall varieties, with a life expectancy of between 40 and 50 years. One of the best things about dwarf coconut palms is that they begin bearing fruit at a young age, sometimes after just 2 years. The fruit of dwarf coconut palms tends to be smaller than that of tall palms, though they are still a very popular food source.
Chowghat Orange Dwarf Coconut
Credit to Vishwanatha Badikana
Mature Size: 16 feet tall
Light: Full sun
Water: Medium moisture needs
Soil: Well-draining
Special Features: Orange coconuts
This dwarf coconut tree was first released in 1991 by the Central Plantation Crops Research Institute in Kerala, India, with the purpose of widespread cultivation. It is an early flowering variety, taking between 3 and 4 years to begin flowering and subsequently bearing fruit. The coconuts produced by this tree are round with orange skin. They have a subtle yet sweet-tasting water, and a high content of meat. The tree itself typically grows to 16 feet in height and has an average expected lifespan of 50 years. Once it begins to produce coconuts, it does so with vigor, producing around 65 nuts each year per tree once mature. Like most dwarf varieties, this palm tree is self-pollinating, so you only require an individual tree for it to produce coconuts. This tree is sensitive to high winds and drought, and therefore needs to be grown in a protected position in a soil that is kept consistently moist. It requires warm temperatures, ideally above 70º F.