20 Coconut Varieties in India | Types of Coconut Trees

Here are some of the Best Coconut Varieties in India you might not be aware of! Keep on reading and pick the best one to grow!

Coconut is a large palm plant that can grow up to 80-100 feet with a lean yet slender trunk. The tree is said to have originated in the southeastern parts of Asia. It is also famous as ‘Kalpavriksha,’ which translates to the tree of heaven. As almost all the tree parts have some or other uses, the fruit has many uses in industries ranging from food to cosmetics! Let’s look at some of the best Coconut Varieties in India!

Check out our article on how to grow Supari Tree here 

Coconut Tree Cultivation in India

Coconut is one of the most important crops in the country. The livelihood of a lot of people depends on this tree as it provides us with fuel, food, and drink too! India is the third-largest producer of coconut in the world.

The states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala in south India account for 90% of the total coconut production in the country!

Learn how to grow Gulmohar Tree here

Best Coconut Varieties in India

There are many varieties of coconuts famous throughout southern India. These varieties can be divided into two, namely, Tall and Dwarf. The following section will discuss the important varieties of coconut in detail.

1. West Coast Tall

A common variety that can take up to 6-7 years to start producing fruits. It can grow in a wide range of soils and have 65-70% oil content. The trees also produce good quality juice, which can be useful in making Jaggery.

The variety is popular for high-scale cultivation in coastal areas of Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Orrisa, Tripura, and Lakshadweep.

2. East Coast Tall

Another tall variety of coconut with 65-68 % of oil content. It is suitable for growing in the coastal region of West Bengal, Pondicherry, Andhra Pradesh, Bihar, Madhya Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu.

This coconut grows well in well-draining, alluvial or red loam soil and starts bearing fruit at 6-8 years old.

3. Chandrakalpa

Also popular as Lakshadweep ordinary or LCT, it can grow on a variety of soil types and can survive under moist conditions. The variety is an amazing choice for higher-scale cultivation in Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh.

The coconut has 68-72 % of oil content and starts to fruit in the 5-6th year of plantation.

4. Andaman Ordinary/ VPM-3

The trees of this variety start producing fruits in 5-6 years of plantation. The variety is drought-tolerant and has 70% content oil and high copra content.

The commercial cultivation of this variety takes place in Tamil Nadu, Andaman, Kerala,  and Andhra Pradesh.

5. Tiptur Tall

Another famous variety of coconut is widely cultivated in the southern state of Karnataka. It contains around 68% of oil content, and the fruiting usually occurs after 6-7 years.

On average, the variety produces 70-80 coconuts per tree, 6-12 inches long.

6. Kera Sagara

A popular cultivar in the south Indian state of Kerala. The variety takes almost 6-8 years before it can start producing fruits. It is also a tall coconut variety with 68-70% oil content. The average yield of this coconut variety is 90-100 fruits per tree annually.

7. Kerachandra

This variety of coconut can also grow in a wide range of soils and produces an average of 100-110 fruits per tree annually. It is suitable for commercial cultivation in all states.

It takes around five years to produce fruits. The oil content in this type of coconut is 66-68%.

8. Chowghat Green Dwarf

It is one of the famous dwarf varieties of coconut in India, suitable for cultivation in southern states like Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka. It takes only 3-4 years to produce fruits, with an oil content of around 66-68 %.

The characteristic feature of this variety is a ‘beak,’ which is visible when the fruits are mature.

9. Chowghat Orange Dwarf

The variety is called ‘Chenthangu’ in Kerala and ‘Kenthali’ in Karnataka. The trees are widely cultivated in Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.

It can produce fruits in 3-4 years of plantation and have a good amount of oil. The variety produces, on average, 60-65 fruits per tree annually.

Hybrid Varieties of Coconut

Hybrid varieties are crosses between coconut varieties. These are better than the original as they show early fruiting, have higher quantities of oil content and have an increased number of fruits per tree.

10. Kera Sankara

This hybrid variety is a cross between Lakshadweep Ordinary Tall and Chowghat Orange Dwarf. It contains 68-72 % of oil content and was released by CPCRI, Kerala, in 1991.

The tree produces higher yields than both its parent varieties. It is suitable for cultivation in states like Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala. In addition to that, you can cultivate it easily in both irrigated and rainfed conditions.

11. Chandra Shankara

A cross between West Coast Tall and Chowghat Orange Dwarf. This variety has a yield of 100-115 coconuts per tree every year. It is suitable for cultivation in Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka.

It has 68% oil content and does well in places with good management and ideal conditions. This hybrid was also first introduced by CPCRI, Kerala, in 1991.

12. Chandra Laksha

A hybrid cross between Lakshadweep Ordinary and Chowghat Orange Dwarf, this variety was released by CPCRI, Kerala, in 1985. These tree fruits are suitable for high-scale cultivation in Kerala and Karnataka.

The special feature of this quality is that it performs well in moist conditions. The oil content in the variety is 69-72%.

13. Lakshaganga

This variety is a cross between Lakshadweep Ordinary and Gangabondam Green Dwarf. This variety produces fruits in 4-5 years after plantation.

Kerala Agricultural University first released it in 1988. The tree can also be cultivated easily in both irrigated and rain-fed conditions. With an oil content of 69%, it produces around 100 fruits per tree annually.

The other hybrid varieties of coconut are –  Keraganga, Anandaganga, Kerasree, VCH 1, VCH 2, VCH3, and Kerasoubhagya.