Hearts of Palm for Babies: When and How to Serve It
Hearts of palm are the tender inner core of certain palms, usually sold canned or jarred. Rinse well to cut the salt, then chop small and soft from around 9 months.
- When to introduce
- Around 9 months
- Common allergen?
- No (not a common allergen)
- Texture
- Rinsed and chopped small
- Key nutrients
- Fiber, potassium, some protein
When can babies eat hearts of palm?
Hearts of palm are the tender inner core of certain palm trees, mild and slightly tangy with a texture somewhere between artichoke and asparagus. They usually come canned or jarred in a salty brine, so a good rinse matters. They can join your baby's plate around 9 months, chopped small and soft.
How to prepare hearts of palm for baby-led weaning (BLW) and purées, by age
Is hearts of palm safe? Choking & prep
Hearts of palm are usually packed in a salty brine, so rinse them well before serving to cut the salt. They can be a little firm and fibrous, so cut the rings finely rather than serving whole rounds, which could pose a choking risk. Chop them small and soft so your baby can chew and swallow them easily. Because canned versions carry sodium, offer them in moderation.
Trying hearts of palm today? Log the first taste and it lands on your baby's tried-it list, dated and ready for the pediatrician.
Log hearts of palm today →Nutrition
Hearts of palm provide fiber, potassium, and a small amount of protein. They are naturally low in calories, so pair them with more filling foods like avocado or chicken to round out your baby's meal.
Goes well with
Storage & freezing
Refrigerate opened hearts of palm in a sealed container of fresh water for up to 3 to 5 days. Do not refreeze canned hearts of palm.
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Related reading
Frequently asked questions
When can babies eat hearts of palm?
Around 9 months, rinsed well to cut the salt and chopped small and soft so they are easy to chew.
Is hearts of palm a common allergen?
No, hearts of palm is not a common allergen. Introduce it on its own so you can watch how your baby does.
Do I need to worry about the salt?
Canned or jarred hearts of palm sit in a salty brine, so rinse them well and offer them in moderation to keep sodium low for your baby.
Can I serve them whole?
No, whole rounds can be firm and fibrous, which is a choking risk. Chop them finely into small, soft pieces instead.
Sources
- American Academy of Pediatrics (HealthyChildren.org): Starting Solid Foods
- CDC: Foods and Drinks to Encourage and Limit
Track it in Yummy Yucky
Log first tries, get nudged through the allergen watch, and keep every bite in one place you can share with your pediatrician.
Start tracking for freeLast updated July 2026. How we write these: grounded in widely published pediatric guidance (the AAP, WHO, the NIAID 2017 allergen guidelines, and the LEAP study), and pending independent review by a pediatric professional. See our editorial and medical policy for how we research, source, and update these.
This is general information, not medical advice, and has not been individually reviewed for your baby. Always talk to your pediatrician about your baby's diet, introducing allergens, and any reaction. In an emergency, contact emergency services.
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