Forest & Kim Starr
Family
Arecaceae
Botanical Name
SABAL palmetto
Plant Common Name
Blue Palmetto, Florida Cabbage Palm, Sabal Palm
General Description
With its immense fan-shaped leaves, its stout straight wind-resistant trunk, and its exceptional cold hardiness, this slow-growing, medium-size palm is both beautiful and adaptable. Native to the Southeast United States from coastal North Carolina to Florida, it also occurs on the Bahamas.
The bold, deep green to yellowish green, evergreen fronds are divided into 60 or more long, arching, blade-like segments, that radiate like the spokes of an umbrella. The segments bear narrow, drooping, ribbon-like filaments at their base. The fronds are borne atop the trunk on long, straight or slightly arching stems ("petioles"), forming a compact, rounded crown. A "skirt" of drooping older leaves sometimes fringes the base of the crown. Plants are initially trunkless, developing a trunk at about 10 years old. Trunks of young plants and the upper trunks of older specimens are cross-hatched with the protruding, wedge-shaped petiole bases ("boots") of fallen leaves. Epiphytic plants such as Spanish moss sometimes grown in the boots. Typically, the petiole bases eventually detach, leaving ring-like scars on the gray trunk. Some older specimens retain their boots to the base of the trunk. Large, arching, branching clusters of small fragrant ivory flowers appear within the crown in late spring or summer, followed by small oval fleshy fruits that ripen black. Bees visit the flowers, and birds and other wildlife eat the fruits.
Grow Florida cabbage palm in full to partial sun in any almost any soil - damp or dry, acidic or alkaline. Plants grow faster and develop a trunk earlier in moist relatively fertile soil. This palm fares poorly in cool summers or cold wet winters. Use it to line an avenue or to create a tropical grove or accent. Remove only brown leaves from the canopy; this palm withstands hurricane winds and does not benefit from "hurricane pruning."
Since seedlings do not transplant well, purchase container-grown seedlings. Trunked specimens are sometimes transplanted when soils are warm, following removal of the fronds and roots. Persistent boots are often sawed off to reveal the trunk.
Characteristics
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AHS Heat Zone
12 - 7
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USDA Hardiness Zone
8 - 15
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Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
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Plant Type
Palm or Cycad
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Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade
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Height
20'-80' / 6.1m - 24.4m (35)
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Width
12'-22' / 3.7m - 6.7m
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Bloom Time
Late Spring, Early Summer, Summer
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Native To
Southeastern United States, Caribbean
Growing Conditions
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Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
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Soil Drainage
Well Drained
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Soil type
Loam, Sand
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Tolerances
Drought, Salt
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Growth Rate
Slow
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Water Requirements
Drought Tolerant, Average Water
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Habit
Upright/Erect
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Seasonal Interest
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Ornamental Features
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Flower Interest
Showy
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Flower Color
Ivory
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Fruit Color
Black
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Foliage Color (Spring)
Green, Blue Green, Yellow Green
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Foliage Color (Summer)
Green, Blue Green, Yellow Green
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Foliage Color (Fall)
Green, Blue Green, Yellow Green
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Foliage Color (Winter)
Green, Gray Green, Yellow Green
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Bark Color
Sandy Brown, Gray
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Fragrant Flowers
Yes
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Fragrant Fruit
No
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Fragrant Foliage
No
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Bark or Stem Fragrant
No
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Flower Petal Number
Single
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Repeat Bloomer
No
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Showy Fruit
No
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Edible Fruit
No
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Showy Foliage
Yes
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Foliage Texture
Bold
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Foliage Sheen
Matte
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Evergreen
Yes
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Showy Bark
No
