Does Coconut Milk Contain Cytokinin? A Deep Dive into its Plant Hormones

January 13, 2026 •

4 min read

Since as early as the 1940s, researchers observed that coconut milk positively affects plant cell growth, a discovery attributed to its potent plant hormones. The answer to whether coconut milk contains cytokinin is definitively yes, and its historical use in plant tissue culture is a testament to this fact.

Quick Summary

Coconut milk is a natural source of the plant hormone cytokinin, primarily zeatin, which promotes cell division and growth. Its properties differ from coconut water, influencing its applications in both botany and home gardening.

Key Points

Coconut milk contains cytokinins: Specifically, it is a natural source of the plant hormone zeatin, which promotes cell division.
Cytokinins regulate plant growth: These hormones are crucial for promoting cell division in plant roots and shoots, influencing overall plant development.
It is distinct from coconut water: While both contain cytokinins, coconut water has a higher concentration and is a preferred choice for plant tissue culture and as a natural biofertilizer.
Use with caution in gardening: Directly applying full-fat coconut milk to plants is not recommended due to high fat and salt content, which can harm soil and attract pests.
Practical applications exist: Fermented coconut milk can be used as a homemade growth stimulator for plants, and its extracts have applications in cosmetics for skin health.
Balances with other hormones: Cytokinins work alongside auxins to control the ratio of shoot to root growth, a vital process in plant morphology.

Yes, Coconut Milk Is a Natural Source of Cytokinin

For decades, botanists and plant physiologists have known that coconut milk is a rich source of cytokinins, a class of plant hormones essential for regulating cell division and growth. The specific type of natural cytokinin most abundant in coconut milk is zeatin. Research dating back to the 1950s and 60s isolated this compound and confirmed its potent cell-division-promoting properties, particularly when used in combination with other plant hormones like auxins. In plant tissue culture, coconut milk extracts were historically vital for promoting the proliferation of plant callus tissue, demonstrating its powerful hormonal activity. Modern analytical techniques have further confirmed the presence and identified the structure of key cytokinins within coconut milk, including forms like zeatin riboside.

The Role of Cytokinins in Plant Development

Cytokinins are not just isolated compounds but are part of a complex signaling network within plants that regulates numerous physiological processes. Their primary function is to promote cell division (cytokinesis) in the roots and shoots, influencing the overall architecture of the plant.

Cell Division and Morphogenesis: Working antagonistically with auxins, cytokinins control the balance between root and shoot growth. A higher cytokinin-to-auxin ratio favors shoot and bud formation, while a lower ratio promotes root development. This balance is fundamental for successful organogenesis in plant tissue culture.
Delaying Senescence: Cytokinins are famously known for delaying leaf senescence, the natural aging process. By maintaining chlorophyll content and protein levels, they keep leaves green and photosynthetically active for longer, an effect known as the Richmond-Lang effect.
Promoting Chloroplast Development: They also stimulate the development of chloroplasts, the sites of photosynthesis. This enhances the plant's ability to produce energy, contributing to higher overall yields in agricultural applications.
Breaking Dormancy: Cytokinins can help break the dormancy of certain seeds and buds, stimulating germination and new growth.

Coconut Milk vs. Coconut Water: A Key Distinction

While both coconut milk and coconut water originate from the coconut fruit, their composition and properties are very different, which is critical when considering their cytokinin content and practical uses.


Feature	Coconut Milk	Coconut Water	Key Takeaway
Source	Produced from the white, grated flesh of mature coconuts blended with hot water.	Naturally-occurring liquid found inside young, green coconuts.	Extraction method and maturity differ significantly.
Cytokinin Content	Contains cytokinins, particularly zeatin, but in lower concentrations compared to the water.	Considered a powerhouse of cytokinins, especially zeatin and kinetin, particularly in younger fruit.	Coconut water generally contains a higher concentration of active cytokinins.
Nutritional Profile	High in fat, along with carbohydrates, vitamins, and minerals.	Low in fat but rich in electrolytes (potassium, sodium) and carbohydrates.	High fat content in milk is a key differentiator.
Common Use	Culinary uses (curries, desserts), skincare applications, and some traditional remedies.	Rehydration beverage, plant biofertilizer, and an important ingredient in plant tissue culture media.	Different compositions lead to divergent practical applications.
Effect on Plants	Can be fermented with other ingredients to create a mild growth stimulator, but high fat and salt can be detrimental if not used correctly.	Often used directly as a natural source of growth-promoting substances for plants and seedlings.	Coconut water is typically preferred for direct horticultural applications.

Practical Applications in Gardening and Beyond

Knowing that coconut milk contains cytokinin and other beneficial compounds opens up possibilities for gardeners, but it requires a careful approach. Simply pouring leftover coconut milk on plants is ill-advised due to its high-fat content and added salt, which can harm soil and attract pests. However, when used properly, it can be a part of homemade concoctions that boost plant health.

Homemade Growth Stimulators

Some organic gardening enthusiasts create fermented mixtures using coconut milk and other ingredients like buttermilk to produce a nutrient-rich solution for plants. The fermentation process helps break down the fats, making the nutrients more accessible and creating a potent, albeit pungent, growth booster. This stimulator is typically diluted and sprayed on plants to enhance flowering, combat pests, and strengthen foliage.

Skincare Benefits of Cytokinins

Beyond the garden, the cytokinin-rich properties of coconuts have found a place in the cosmetics industry. Cytokinins, particularly kinetin and zeatin, have shown anti-aging effects on human cells in laboratory studies, protecting against oxidative stress and delaying cellular aging. Topically, coconut milk is known for its deep hydration, anti-inflammatory, and antimicrobial benefits for the skin.

Important Considerations and Risks

Despite the hormonal benefits, it is crucial to use coconut products cautiously in gardening. The high fat and sugar content of canned coconut milk can promote fungal growth or attract pests. For reliable and precise applications, particularly in delicate processes like tissue culture, using commercially prepared extracts or simply opting for coconut water is often the better choice. When considering a homemade preparation, thorough research on proper fermentation techniques and dilution ratios is necessary to avoid harming plants.

Conclusion

Yes, coconut milk does contain cytokinin, primarily in the form of zeatin, a powerful plant hormone that promotes cell division and growth. Its hormonal content has been recognized for decades, leading to its historical use in plant tissue culture. However, its high fat content distinguishes it from coconut water, which is more commonly used in horticultural applications due to its higher cytokinin concentration and lack of fat. For gardeners, creating a carefully prepared fermented mixture can leverage its properties, but directly applying expired or full-fat coconut milk to plants is not recommended. Both coconut water and milk offer beneficial properties for plants and people, from stimulating growth to nourishing skin, but understanding their differences is key to their effective and safe use.

Visit ResearchGate for more information on the quantification of cytokinins in coconut varieties.

Frequently Asked Questions

Coconut milk is a natural source of the cytokinin known as zeatin, which is a potent plant growth promoter. Other forms like kinetin may also be present, but zeatin is the most commonly referenced.

For providing cytokinins to plants, especially in tissue culture or as a fertilizer, coconut water is generally considered better. It has a higher concentration of active cytokinins and lacks the high fat content found in coconut milk, which can be detrimental to soil.

The cytokinins in coconut milk promote cell division in plant tissues. They help regulate the balance between root and shoot growth, delay leaf aging (senescence), and encourage the development of buds.

It is generally not recommended to use expired or regular coconut milk on garden plants. The high fat, sugar, and potentially high salt content can attract pests, promote fungal growth, and create an unhealthy soil environment.

A safer method for gardeners is to use a fermented mixture, such as combining coconut milk with buttermilk. This process breaks down fats and makes nutrients more accessible. This mixture must be heavily diluted before being applied as a foliar spray.

In addition to cytokinins, coconut milk contains various nutrients including healthy fatty acids (like lauric acid), vitamins C and E, and minerals such as magnesium and potassium.

Research suggests that cytokinins like kinetin and zeatin may have anti-aging effects on human cells, but these findings are mostly from in vitro studies. Topically, coconut milk is used in cosmetics for its hydrating and anti-inflammatory properties, but internal consumption effects related to cytokinins are not fully confirmed.