Tallest Palm Tree in the World
Your Complete Guide to Know & See Them

Which is the tallest palm tree in the world?

It's the Ceroxylon quindiuense, most commonly called the Quindío wax palm. The botanical name is pronounced: sir-OX-ill-ahn | keen-dee-oo-ENS-ay.

It's native to Colombia, and can amazingly reach heights of up to 200-feet/60-meters. Therefore, it is the tallest palm of all. But also one of the tallest flowering plant types (Specifically The Monocots) on Earth.

I was astonished when I first viewed them. Will you be thunderstruck seeing them? Let's find out.

What the Tallest Palm Tree Looks Like (Photos & First Impressions)

The tallest palm tree in the world captured me the first time I viewed their photograph. The setting was in the valley where they primarily grow.

• Some were scattered on hillsides. 
• Their crowns swimming amidst cloudy swirls.
• Gauzy water-vapor mists seemed to slide downward from the cloud forest to the valley.

I felt that it gave off this astonishing, eerie mood compared to Any Type of Palm.

This is similar to the 1st image that caught my attention - The one I saw was even more dramatic!

I was awestruck! Even though I knew there are Many Very Tall Palms on Earth, I'd previously thought those Tall Palms in California might be the tallest!

But have you heard how it goes?

That once you first discover something - that same thing or subject suddenly seems to appear again and again. Some say it had always been there, but you'd never noticed it before! For example, car models or television shows.

Yet sure enough, after seeing that first amazing pic of those tallest palm trees, I began encountering more about them. Even a daily word game I played had a pic as a backdrop! Similar to the one I first viewed. That sure added to the fun I had playing!

You'll see these palms are slender, towering into the sky. They love misty surroundings like the high-altitude cloud forests in Colombia.

People along the trail, interacting with tall palms & loving these views!

Quick Facts About the Tallest Palm Tree in the World

• Scientific name: Ceroxylon quindiuense
• Common names: Quindío wax palm, Andean wax palm, Colombian wax palm, Wax palm
• Maximum height: Can approach or even reach 200ft/60m
• Location: Cocora Valley set within the Andes Mountains, near Salento, Colombia
• Status: Colombia's national tree
• Notable feature: Besides the tremendous height, they have a whitish waxy coating on their thin, smooth trunks.

How Tall Is the World's Tallest Palm Tree?

The world's tallest palm tree, this Quindío Wax Palm, could grow up to 200-ft/60-m tall. That's taller than a 20-story building! When you Travel There to See Them, their height will amaze you, too! 

That's what it is about these tallest palms - and why they attract People to Travel to View Them - Even by Horseback.

Palm fronds flowing in the wind atop these tall palm trees in Valle de Cocora, Columbia.

What Is the World Record Height for the Tallest Palm Tree?

You may be thinking: can palm trees really become taller than a building with 20 floors? I get that! But yes, for this species it's possible.

In the 1800s, there was one reported as reaching 200 feet high. But official documentation was needed for this Unique Palm Tree to be a record setter!

The Guinness Book of World Records now records it as the "Tallest Living Palm Tree." It was validated by Colombian botanist/palm specialist, Rodrigo Bernal. His team noted two Quindio Wax Palms in La Carbonera's Tochecito River Valley, with these authenticated measurements:

• 194 feet, 2.7 inches OR 59.2 meters
• 187 feet, 4 inches OR 57.1 meters

So in 2017 this data was submitted to, and then recorded by the Guinness Records into their famed book.

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The Trunk of the Tallest Palm Tree (Height & Structure)

On its own, the solitary trunk loftily rises into the air as much as 197-ft/60-m! The trunk appears whitish because of its waxy coating. Along most of its height, you'll note slightly bulging rings - the remains of fronds that fell away.

Yet for that height, it's very narrow. In fact, adults can put their arms fully around some of them. Like a hug, to show their fondness!

Thus its amazing appearance: very, very tall and skinny!

This Image below Used With Permission of Matt from Indie Traveller

Note the horse at the bottom of Wax Palm's trunk.
A contrast to appreciate its true amazing height!

Leaves of the Tallest Palm Tree in the World

Atop the trunk, its nearly round crown of fronds rises farther still.

• With palm leaves about 15-18ft/4.6-5.5m long.
• As a pinnate (feather palm), each leaf has leaflets that are 2ft/0.6m long.
• Frond undersides are coated with a whitish/yellow down-like hairy matting. 

The leaves are blowing in the wind - you can see whitish mats underneath on some.

Where are the Tallest Palm Trees in the World?

To See These Imposing Giants For Yourself, in their native lands, begin your journey by going to the South American country of Columbia.

They're found in the Department of Quindío's Columbian Coffee Triangle. You'll arrive in Solento for Your Stay and Exploration. It's the access to the stunning Cocora Valley, by catching a ride with Willy's Jeeps.

By Visiting and Roaming the Valle de Cocora you'll see these tallest palm trees scattered throughout grassy hillsides. Also continuing further into higher mountain elevations. Expect to be stunned by the scenery, seeing them on hillsides and in grove-like and jungle settings.

Locating the Cocora Valley Within the Northern Andes of Columbia
CLICK HERE TO FIND A GREAT COCORA VALLEY STAY

See Quindio Wax Palms Growing in the USA

And you can view them without visiting Colombia, by touring San Francisco's Botanical Garden, the Gardens of Golden Gate Park. A gorgeous place to stroll through.

The weather suits them well in the San Francisco area. It rarely gets above the mid 70s-F/ and is often foggy, misty, and usually cloudy.

• If you want to plan a visit, here's the FAQs for the Gardens. Also remember, San Francisco doesn't typically have bargain rates for stays. But there are some. We Stayed Here a few years ago, and it was adquate for us - though some don't find it that way for them.

1. And Here's A Nearby Budget Stay in the Area. 
2. Here's one a few blocks away, With Great Reviews & Reasonable Prices. 
3. Or near the park's east end, half a block to the Panhandle section - This One Has Privacy and a Bit More Luxury, with reasonably moderate rates. 

Why Wax Palms Grow in Cloud Forests

The natural environment of Wax Palms is to grow in the Cloud Forest of Colombia.

Unlike the more well-known rain forests of the world, like in the Amazon, Cloud forests have higher elevations (from 6000-10,000 feet!). Where as a matter of course, it's cooler than a rain forest floor.

Wax Palms prefer that chillier climate, not the warmth most palms favor. In fact, they've died when a heat wave comes into areas where they're growing as a cultivated ornamental palm.

Quindío Wax Palms also like the wet, misty conditions. And they get that a lot! Which adds to the aura of this captivating palm in that breathtaking valley.

Get to the Valley With Willy's Jeeps

Growing Thickly on the Hillside Jungle Area

How to See the Tallest Palm Trees in the World (Tours & Travel Tips)

Reasonable fees are asked of you to tour this exclusive valley.

Additional fees added when taking trails through private property. The currency is COP (Columbian Peso). If you plan a trip, Evaluate Your Currency Exchange>

Look for the information board near where you pay your initial entrance fee. You'll view maps with hiking explanations, etc.

Choose a Corcoro Valley Trail

You have three different trail options.

The entry map lines them out. We calculate them as Easy, Doable for Most, to Somewhat Challenging.

Easiest Walk to see the Tallest Palm Tree in the World

Arrive in the village of Cocora.

Continue walking along the main road (Via al Via del Cocora), at your leisure. It forks off to the right, but continue left for vantage points. You can choose to enter one of the private viewpoints; some have inclusive tours.

• The first viewpoint is La Vida es Bella. A private entry tourist attraction that some say gives you fabulous areas for photography. Pay about 10,000 COP.
• Soon after is La Vida Bella Parque, another private area costs about the same. Billed as an amusement & theme park.
• Then Mirador Mano de Acaime is an Observation Deck.
• Next is El Bosque de las Palmas.

This Quindío Palm Hike is Doable for Most

About 2 to 3 hours for This Route, for over a bit less than 5 miles round trip.

• Initially through tall palm hills, but then through thicker jungle as elevation rises.
• Be aware horseback riders use this route. Droppings are along the trail.

Most Challenging Cocora Valley Hike

Give yourself a full day, starting early.

Two options On This Loop. Most advise taking it counter-clockwise. As you're walking along the road through Cocora, be sure to turn into the first trail entry.

• First through a grassy field. Here you'll want to keep looking up. Often there's gliding Andean Condors, the world's largest flying bird! 
• The 2nd trail entrance takes you clockwise. Not as dramatic a hike.

Virtual Tour of the Tallest Palm Trees (Drone Style)

Enjoy a living postcard of these plants that achieved the maximum height that palm trees grow!

Takeaways for this tallest Palm Tree in the World

Once you’ve seen these tall palms, every other palm species will seem to whisper to you about their own height!

Although these Quindío Wax Palms are the tallest palm trees in the world, there are still many more Very Tall Palm Trees. They're fascinating to us, and may also lure you into their own world.

About the Authors: Karen McGowan is the creator of MissionPalmTrees.com, along with her husband Bill. Where they share palm tree expertise gained from years of finding and studying palms in varied climates. Learn more.