Nipa is a prostrate palm and its growth habit is very similar to grasses.
This branching pattern gives rise to the nipa palm 'colony' structure of a mature stand, in which older rhizome parts decay simultaneously and dichotomous divisions produce new shoots.
There is also a constant decay of old leaves and formation of new ones throughout the life of a nipa palm, which is estimated to be about 50 years.
First flowering occurs 3-4 years after germination. Pollination is effected by flies.
In a mature nipa palm stand, normally about one-quarter to one-half of the palms produce flowers or fruits.
The fruits mature in 5-9 months. In young fruits the endosperm is liquid, becoming solid in older ones. Frequently, more than one infructescence develops simultaneously per plant. In Papua New Guinea, the weight of one infructescence is 6-30 kg and its circumference 1.1-1.4 m, bearing 88-133 individual fruits.