The coconut leaf broom is the everyday broom of South India. Called thenna eeki or eerkuchi in Tamil and ekel in Sri Lanka, it is made almost entirely by hand. If you are wondering how to make a broom from coconut leaves, or you simply want to understand what you are buying, here is how it is done in Tamil Nadu villages, step by step.
We are Ramnad Agro, a family wholesale business in MPK Valasai, Ramanathapuram. We buy cleaned ribs and brooms from coconut grove families and supply finished coconut leaf brooms to shops and distributors.
Step 1: Collecting the fronds
A coconut frond is a long central stalk with leaflets on both sides. Each leaflet has a thin, springy midrib down its centre, and this midrib is the broom stick.
Groves are pruned regularly to remove dry and lower fronds. Around Ramanathapuram this happens every week, so raw material is available all year without cutting any tree. Fronds that have just dried, or are freshly cut and still pliable, are easiest to work.
Step 2: Stripping the leaflets
The leaflets are cut from the frond. Then, one by one, the green leaf blade is stripped off each midrib, usually with a small knife or by hand. This is the slowest part of the job, and it is usually done by grove families at home in the village.
Careful stripping matters. Leaf left on the stick adds weight but sheds dust and bits on the floor, and it holds damp in storage.
Step 3: Sun-drying the midribs
The stripped midribs (eerkuchi) are spread out in the sun to dry. Drying makes them springy and light and stops them going mouldy in bundles.
Sticks that are packed before they are fully dry can smell musty and develop dark spots. This is one of the main checks we make before buying.
Step 4: Grading by length and thickness
Midribs vary in length and thickness along the frond and from tree to tree. Before tying, sticks are sorted so each broom is made from sticks of a similar length. Short and broken sticks are kept aside.
Grading is where a careful maker stands out. An even, well-graded broom sweeps cleanly and looks better on a shop shelf.
Step 5: Bundling and tying the broom
A handful of graded sticks is gathered, the butt ends are tapped level, and the bundle is tied tightly near the butt to form the grip. Some makers add a second tie or bind with wire or strap; others fit a handle.
Our standard coconut broom is hand-tied, about 75–90 cm long and 350–500 g. Finished brooms are then tied together in bundles of 10 or 25 for transport. Heavier brooms with more sticks are made on request.
The coconut leaf broom process at a glance
| Step | What happens | What can go wrong |
|---|---|---|
| Fronds | Collected from regular grove pruning | Rotten or very old fronds give brittle sticks |
| Stripping | Leaf blade removed from each midrib | Leaf left on to add weight |
| Drying | Midribs sun-dried until springy | Damp sticks go mouldy in bundles |
| Grading | Sorted by length and thickness | Short sticks hidden inside |
| Tying | Butt ends levelled and tied tight | Loose ties cause shedding |
| Bundling | Brooms packed in bundles of 10 or 25 | Miscounted bundles |
What separates a good coconut broom from a cheap one
Two coconut brooms can look the same in a photo and perform very differently. Check these:
- Weight: more sticks means a fuller sweep and longer life. Ask for the weight in grams.
- Clean sticks: no leafy waste left on.
- Dryness: no musty smell or dark spots.
- Even length: no short sticks hidden in the middle.
- Firm tie: shake the broom; nothing should fall out.
A cheaper broom is often simply a lighter one. Our price per kg vs per piece guide shows how to compare quotes by weight.
Making a coconut leaf broom at home
If you want to make one broom for your own use, the method is the same on a small scale:
- Take a few dry or freshly cut coconut fronds and cut off the leaflets.
- Strip the green leaf from each leaflet so only the midrib remains.
- Dry the midribs in the sun for a few days until they are springy.
- Sort them by length, gather a thick handful and level the butt ends.
- Tie tightly near the butt with strong cord, wrapping several times, and trim the tips even.
It takes a surprising number of leaflets to make one full broom, which is why a shop-ready broom represents a lot of hand work.
Storing coconut brooms
Dry sticks keep well. Store bundles in a dry, ventilated place, off the floor and away from walls that get damp in the monsoon. Damp storage causes mould and soft sticks, and a mouldy bundle does not sell. Rotate stock so older bundles go out first.
Coconut leaf broom vs palmyra broom
Coconut midribs are thin and flexible, which suits indoor and everyday sweeping. Palmyra brooms (panai eeki) are made from the much thicker ribs of palmyra leaves and suit yards, mills and rough outdoor surfaces. Read more in what is palmyra fibre and our coconut vs palmyra broom comparison.
Buying coconut leaf brooms in bulk
We check every lot for dryness, leaf waste, even length and firm binding, and count bundles before dispatch. Minimum order is 100 bundles of 10 (1,000 brooms), dispatched in 3–5 working days by lorry or parcel service across India. A 5-broom sample bundle can be sent by courier at cost. See the full specs on our coconut broom wholesale page.
Tell us your quantity, bundle size and delivery city, and we will quote the current rate with freight. Ask for a sample bundle first if you like.
