The Carnauba Wax Palm is a fan palm that is native to Brazil. It is the source of carnauba wax, which is the most commercially important plant wax. The wax is harvested from the leaves, which have a wax coating on both surfaces. The wax is used in floor, leather, furniture, car and shoe polish, and is used in the manufacture of carbon paper, candles, chalk, matches, soap and woodwork stains. The tree grows up to 60 feet in height. Hardy in zones 9-12.
Growing Instructions for the Carnauba Wax Palm
The seeds have a hard seed coat that has to be treated, or scarified, in order for water to enter the seeds so that they can sprout. 1. Scarify the seeds by nicking or sanding the seed coat. The seeds can be sanded with sandpaper, a nail file or an emery board. 2. Soak the seed in water for several hours. 3. The seeds like moist, well-drained soil. Prepare a mixture of half potting soil and half sand, perlite or vermiculite. 4. Put the soil in a pot. 5. Put the seeds on the soil. 6. Cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil. 6. Water the seeds. 7. Place the pots in an area with warm temperatures in full sun or part shade. 8. When the seedlings are a few inches tall, they can be transplanted.