Can a Coconut Grow in the Midwest?

You betcha! Susan Koenen, the younger woman in the picture below, was the Deputy Probate Clerk of Putnam County, MO. She retired July 1 this year. Susan shared this story with the Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden:

“My late boss was Associate Circuit Judge of Putnam County, Missouri, Samuel Frank. He bought a coconut sapling, about a foot tall in Hawaii in 2016 while he and his wife were on vacation. He gave it to me as a memento of the trip and to grow. I have a reputation of having a green thumb and viewed it as a challenge to see if it would grow, especially having to bring it indoors during winter. I potted the coconut with the sapling about 10″ tall and it grew at the office for several years.”

The TSA was not amused.

The judge and his wife brought the coconut sapling through the airport on their way back from Hawaii. They were stopped by security because scanners showed a round, liquid-filled object. The TSA were understandably concerned about what it might be.

Susan named the plant Sammy Coco after Judge Samuel Frank. Susan grew Sammy Coco at the courthouse, then at home for several years. Finally she brought him back to the courthouse in 2021.

“When Judge Samuel Frank was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer and passed on December 18, 2021, it was a total shock and very devastating for all of us here at the office and community, he was very dearly loved.  That was a very hard year, but we had Sammy CoCo to remind us of the Judge.”

Rachel, Laura, and Diane, Greater Des Moines Botanical Garden Horticulturists, drove the team truck to Unionville, MO on August 1 to pick up Sammy CoCo from the courthouse.

Say Aloha to Sammy CoCo!

If you look at the base of the plant, you can still see the coconut shell Sammy grew from! While he is in our greenhouse right now, Sammy will be moving into the conservatory dome early in the New Year. Don’t miss your chance to enjoy a little bit of Hawaii right here in Des Moines.