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Sabal palmetto (Cabbage Palm)

Blue Palmetto, Cabbage Palm, Cabbage Palmetto, Cabbage Palmetto Palm, Cabbage Tree, Common Palmetto, Palmetto Palm

Sabal palmetto, Blue palmetto, Cabbage Palm, Cabbage Palmetto, Cabbage Palmetto Palm, Cabbage Tree, Common Palmetto, Palmetto Palm, Drought tolerant tree, Palm Tree

Hardy, Sabal palmetto (Cabbage Palm) is an elegant evergreen palm with a single trunk and a full, round canopy of costapalmate (between pinnate and palmate), fan-shaped leaves that can reach 6 ft. in length (180 cm). Each gray-green leaf is divided into numerous thread-like leaf pieces. The uniform, gray trunk is mostly covered by the residuals of the old leaves petioles, which cross in a characteristic way. Branched inflorescences produced during the late spring months usually extend beyond the leaves and contain thousands of tiny, creamy-white, fragrant flowers. They give way to shiny, black fruits in late summer. Extremely salt and wind tolerant, Cabbage Palm is also hardy to 15°F (-9°C). Long-lived (up to 150 years), Cabbage Palm is widely cultivated for its ornamental characteristics and its rusticity. Sabal palmetto is the state tree of Florida and is displayed on the state flag of South Carolina, whose nickname is the ‘Palmetto State’. It is well known for its use as palm heart. The heart or the new leaf bud is cut from the tree and used in salads. A beautiful palm that can be used as a specimen, in groupings, along streets, and in groves. It grows happily in coastal sands.

  • Grows with an upright habit up to 40-50 ft. tall (12-15 m) and 10-15 ft. wide (3-5 m). Grows 12 to 24 in. per year (30-60 cm).
  • Easily grown in moistwell-drained soils in full sun. Drought tolerant once established.
  • Keep an eye out for Ganoderma butt rot, Thielaviopsis trunk rot or Texas phoenix palm decline.
  • Propagate by seed. The seeds germinate in 2-3 months.
  • Native to Florida and coastal regions of North and South Carolina, Georgia, Bahamas and Cuba.

Requirements

Hardiness 8 - 11
Climate Zones 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2
Plant Type Palms - Cycads
Plant Family Arecaceae
Genus Cycas
Common names Cabbage-Palm, Cabbage Palmetto, Palmetto, Palmetto Palm
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 40' - 50'
(12.2m - 15.2m)
Spread 10' - 15'
(3m - 4.6m)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Native Plants United States, Southeast, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Georgia
Tolerance Drought, Salt
Garden Uses Rain Gardens
Garden Styles Mediterranean Garden, Coastal Garden
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Alternative Plants to Consider

Zamia pumila (Coontie)
Roystonea regia (Florida Royal Palm)
Coccothrinax argentata (Florida Silver Palm)
Acoelorrhaphe wrightii (Paurotis Palm)
Serenoa repens (Saw Palmetto)
Dioon spinulosum (Giant Dioon)

Recommended Companion Plants

Cycas revoluta (Sago Palm)
Chamaerops humilis (European Fan Palm)
Agapanthus (African Lily)
Cannas (Canna Lilies)
While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
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Requirements

Hardiness 8 - 11
Climate Zones 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2
Plant Type Palms - Cycads
Plant Family Arecaceae
Genus Cycas
Common names Cabbage-Palm, Cabbage Palmetto, Palmetto, Palmetto Palm
Exposure Full Sun
Season of Interest Spring (Early, Mid, Late)
Summer (Early, Mid, Late)
Fall
Winter
Height 40' - 50'
(12.2m - 15.2m)
Spread 10' - 15'
(3m - 4.6m)
Maintenance Low
Water Needs Average
Soil Type Loam, Sand
Soil pH Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Soil Drainage Moist but Well-Drained
Characteristics Showy, Evergreen
Native Plants United States, Southeast, Louisiana, North Carolina, South Carolina, Florida, Georgia
Tolerance Drought, Salt
Garden Uses Rain Gardens
Garden Styles Mediterranean Garden, Coastal Garden
How Many Plants
Do I Need?
Not sure which Cycas to pick?
Compare Now

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