Red Tip Cocoplum
Chrysobalanus icaco 'Red Tip'
Also known as: Red Cocoplum · Red-Tipped Cocoplum
The boldest cocoplum — bronze-red new growth that makes a hedge you actually notice.
Southwest Florida
Growing Red Tip Cocoplum in SWFL
Chrysobalanus icaco 'Red Tip' earns its name: every flush of new growth comes in a rich bronze-red before maturing to deep green. The color contrast between mature and emerging foliage is continuous, making it one of the most visually dynamic hedge plants available in SWFL. It is salt-tolerant, drought-tolerant once established, and responds well to shearing — the same high-tolerance traits that made green cocoplum a SWFL landscape staple, with significantly more visual interest. Native to coastal Florida; highly Babcock Ranch-compatible. Grows to 6–12ft untrimmed; maintains readily at any height.
Plant Specifications
| Sun Exposure | Full sun to part shade |
|---|---|
| Water Needs | Low once established — very drought tolerant |
| Salt Tolerance | High — direct coastal suitable |
| Cold Hardiness | Zone 9b |
| Mature Height | 6–12ft untrimmed (maintains at any height) |
| Mature Spread | 4–8ft |
| Growth Rate | Moderate |
Nursery stock photo
Live Inventory
Available Sizes
Frequently Asked Questions
Red Tip Cocoplum (Chrysobalanus icaco 'Red Tip') is a selected cultivar of the same Florida native species, distinguished by its vivid bronze-red new growth. Every new leaf flush produces this bronzy-red color before hardening to deep green — creating a two-tone effect that green cocoplum simply does not have. The care requirements and site tolerances are identical; the visual payoff is significantly higher.
Yes — like all cocoplum, the Red Tip cultivar has high salt tolerance and is suitable for direct coastal planting. It is one of the few ornamental natives that thrives in front-line coastal exposure in SWFL. Babcock Ranch design guidelines recognize cocoplum as an approved native species.
Red Tip Cocoplum grows at a moderate rate — roughly 1–2 feet per year in SWFL conditions. Starting with 3G stock in 10" containers gives you an 18"–24" plant that establishes a hedge line within 2–3 years. For faster hedge presence, 7G containers give you 3–4ft plants that close a hedge gap in one season.
They perform similarly in terms of salt tolerance and coastal hardiness. Red Tip Cocoplum is a native species (Buttonwood is also native), but the bold two-tone foliage of Red Tip gives it a more ornamental character. For a formal sheared hedge, either works well — cocoplum takes shearing slightly more readily and maintains a denser branching pattern.
Red Tip Cocoplum is in stock.
Call to confirm sizing and current availability.