When you think of palm trees, you usually think of tropical south-seas islands. Palm trees swaying in the tradewinds. Mai Tais, azure blue waters, those types of thoughts. Ahhhhhh...such would be the life 'eh?
Living in Eastern Iowa, we have no tradewinds, we have wind chills factors instead. Summers are warm and humid so that give one a bit of that tropical feeling, but it only lasts about 12 week or so and it fades away quickly.
Even with all of those imposing thoughts, I still always dreamed of having my own Coconut Palm so at least in my own mind, I could conjure up those thoughts of tropical isles in the pacific.
I read all over the net that you simply couldn't grow a Coconut Palm as a "house plant". I don't know how many times I was told that it was not only impractical, but simply impossible. They won't grow, they need super-warm temperatures and humidity year round, it just went on and on. Ask my mother and she would confirm that I didn't much listen to what other people told me was or wasn't possible so I set out to accomplish my goal.
I purchased a Coconut Palm in Miami about 15 years ago. Just the nut with a little sprout sticking out of it. No dirt, no pot, just the coconut. I brought it home in First Class on United Airlines and now the rest is history.
A mere 15 years later and my Coconut Palm is not only still alive, it's thriving. Of course it isn't as tall as a 15 year old tree living in the tropics would be, but hey, it's still doing well and it's mine and that's all that counts.
The little guy isn't so little anymore and while he's still short, he had developed a full-fledged trunk and all. Maybe it's just a bonsai version of a Coconut Palm, but none the less, he's doing well.
What's the point of all of this rambling? Not only to confirm that yes, you can grow your own Coconut Palm in a non-tropical climate, but to also reiterate that all things are possible if you put your mind and effort into it.
