Sabal
( SAY - ball )
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At-A-Glance InformationCommonly called Palmetto or Fan Palm, this genus includes species which need full sun and moderate water to perform well in the landscape. They are hardy evergreen trees typically featuring a single tan to greyish trunk and large fan-shaped fronds. Flowers are white and bloom in clusters, followed by small black fruits. Individual palms can reach up to between 230 and 80 feet tall when mature and fronds can reach up to 10 feet long. Palmetto can tolerate sea spray and temperatures down to 20 degrees Fahrenheit, making them ideal for temperate coastal regions. Use these palms as street trees, as focal points or specimens in the landscape, in costal or tropical gardens, or grouped together to mimic natural coastal palm groves.
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Sabal Species and Varietals
The genus Sabal includes 16 species and one hybrid, and is a member of the plant family Arecaceae. The palms in this genus are closely related to those in Phoenix (Date Palm), Washingtonia (Fan Palm). The best growing zones for Palmetto are USDA hardiness zones 8b-11 or Sunset growing zones 12-17, 19-24, H1 and H2, though this may vary somewhat depending on the species cultivated. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
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Sabal bermudana (Bermuda Palmetto, Bibby-Tree) This species is endemic to Bermuda, and is considered endangered there due to the invasive Chinese Fan Palm (Livistona chinensis). Green leaves are between 5 and 6.5 feet long and flowers are yellow to white. Fruits are deep brown to almost black and contain a single seed each. These trees are extremely tolerant of salt, and are hardy down to 7 degrees Fahrenheit. The sap of these trees is harvested to make a strong alcoholic beverage called 'Bibby'. This species is suited for USDA hardiness zones 9b-11. |
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Sabal brazoriensis (Sabal x brazoriensis) (Brazoria Palmetto, Brazoria Palm, Brazos Palmetto) This species is native to the Texas Gulf Coast (specifically Brazoria County), and reaches between 6.6 and 23 feet tall when mature. Leaves can reach over 8 feet long, and flowers are fragrant and white. These are rainforest-dwelling palms that prefer wet soils. Brazoria Palmetto is suited for growing in USDA hardiness zones 6b-10b. |
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Sabal causiarum (Puerto Rico Palmetto, Puerto Rican Hat Palm, Puerto Rican Palmetto) This species is native to Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, and the British Virgin Islands, and its leaves are used locally in the manufacture of hats. These fan palms reach up to 33 feet tall and have between 20 and 30 leaves. Fruits are black and round. Puerto Rico Palmetto is suited for USDA hardiness zones 8b-11, and can handle short periods of time at 10 degrees Fahrenheit. It can adapt well to inland and costal microclimates. |
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Sabal domingensis (Hispaniola Palmetto, Dominican Palm, Hispaniola Palm, Palma Cana, Latanier-Chapeau) This species, native to the Caribbean, grows to 80 feet or more in height and spreads to 20 feet wide. Leaves are gray-green, fan-shaped and quite large (up to 9 feet across). Hispaniola Palmetto is suited for growing in USDA hardiness zones 8a-11. |
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Sabal etonia (Sabal miamiensis) (Scrub Palmetto, Scrub Palm, Scrub-Cabbage, Corkscrew Palm) This slow-growing species is endemic to the state of Florida in the United States, and reaches between 3 and 4 feet tall at maturity. It grows well in USDA hardiness zones 8b-11, thriving in sandy scrublands. Plants typically have between 4 and 7 leaves and produce cream-colored flowers followed by black round fruits. This species has high drought tolerance compared with others in the genus. |
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Sabal maritima (Bull Thatch Palm, Bull Thatch) This species of fan palm is native to Jamaica and Cuba, and forms a 49-foot tall tree with between 70 and 110 leaves. Flowers are white to cream colored and fruits are round and black. This species is suited for growing in USDA hardiness zones 9a-11, and can endure minimum winter temperatures of 10 to 25 degrees Fahrenheit. |
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Sabal mexicana (Sabal texana) (Oaxaca Palmetto, Rio Grande Palmetto, Mexican Palmetto, Texas Palmetto, Texas Sabal Palm, Palmetto Cabbage, Palma de Mícharos) This palm, native to Texas down through Guatemala, reaches 30-50 feet tall and 12 feet wide at maturity. Leaves are bright green. Flowers are cream to white in color and are followed by black drupes that are about a half an inch in diameter. This species is robust, with resistances to decomposition, drought, and cold temperatures. This species is suited for USDA hardiness zones 8a-11. |
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Sabal minor (Dwarf Palmetto, Bush Palmetto, Swamp Palmetto, Palmeto Enano, Sabal Menor, Guano, Palma) This small palm is native to the southeastern United States and Mexico and reaches 3-6 feet tall and 10 feet wide. Leaves are green to blue-green and the trunk is either short or non-existent. Old leaves fold down against the trunk. Hardy to 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Dwarf Palmetto grows well in USDA hardiness zones 7-10. |
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Sabal palmetto (Cabbage Palm, Sabal Palm, Cabbage Palmetto, Swamp Cabbage, Carolina Palmetto, Common Palmetto, Blue Palmetto, Palmetto Palm) This species, native to the southeastern United States, Mexico, the West Indies and the Bahamas, reaches 20 feet tall and 10 feet wide, though it can get much larger in its natural habitat. Green leaves form a rounded head. Flowers are cream-colored to white and bloom in panicles that extend past foliage. Fruits that follow are black drupes 1.3 inches in diameter. This species is extremely salt tolerant and is suited for growing in USDA hardiness zones 7b-11. |
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Caring for sabal
Palmetto palms are best grown in the ground; they produce large, vertical root systems unsuitable for container cultivation. These trees should be planted in a place where they will receive full sun to partial shade (depending on the species grown). In climates that experience a lot of heat and intense sun, they will appreciate at little afternoon shade. Ensure that soil is well-draining and acidic to slightly alkaline (with a pH of between 5.0 and 8.5). If local soils are particularly heavy, make sure to amend the planting site with plenty of organic material, perlite and/or sand. Apply a thick layer of mulch around the planting area to increase soil moisture retention, maintain constant soil temperatures and suppress weed growth. Make sure that the mulch does not touch the trunk itself. Water newly installed trees regularly (daily for the first two weeks in the ground, and then lessened) as they establish a strong root system. Mature trees are considered highly drought tolerant, able to survive on rainwater alone for much of the year with supplemental waterings provided biweekly during extended dry spells.
Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Occasionally prune trees to remove dead palm fronds and spent fruit or flower stalks, taking care to not do any damage to the trunk. These palms can grow to be quite tall, so a professional tree maintenance service may be required to maintain safety in the garden. In climates with cool, dry winters, these palms are best grown in containers able to be brought indoors or into a greenhouse or other protected area over the cooler months of the year. The life expectancy of Palmetto Palms is between 100 and 200 years or more. They grow very slowly, reaching their fully mature size in a few decades.
Harvesting Sabal
Palmetto palms produce a few edible parts, including their inner terminal bud (Heart of Palm or Swamp Cabbage) and small dark fruits. Keep in mind that harvesting Heart of Palm permanently destroys the tree. The primary species cultivated for Heart of Palm in this genus is Sabal palmetto, or the Cabbage Palm, though all single-trunk species in the genus produce them. The Heart of Palm itself is the terminal bud of the palm tree, and is crisp, tender, and mildly sweet or cabbage-like. It is typically 4 inches long and 1 to 1.5 inches thick. Heart of Palm can be sliced and used in salads, used as a vegan substitute for seafood, or fried in rings or sticks. They can also be blended with garlic, herbs, and dairy to build a unique twist on an Artichoke dip.
Sabal palms also produce edible fruits that are dark blue to black when ripe and measure bout a 1/4 to 1/2 inch in diameter. They are typically ripe in late summer or fall, and feature a thin layer of flesh over a large seed. The fruit flesh has a sweet, pleasant flavor, but can sometimes be bitter or have an acrid aftertaste. They were historically consumed as an emergency or famine food, and today are typically regarded as wildlife forage. The sweet pulp can be eaten fresh off of the tree or cooked down into syrup, and the hard seeds can be ground into a starchy flour or meal substitute.
Disclaimer: Information contained on this website is strictly and categorically intended as a reference to be used in conjunction with experts in your area. Foraging and consumption of plant parts should never begin without the guidance and approval of a local plant specialist. The providers of this website accept no liability for the use or misuse of information contained in this website.
Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Occasionally prune trees to remove dead palm fronds and spent fruit or flower stalks, taking care to not do any damage to the trunk. These palms can grow to be quite tall, so a professional tree maintenance service may be required to maintain safety in the garden. In climates with cool, dry winters, these palms are best grown in containers able to be brought indoors or into a greenhouse or other protected area over the cooler months of the year. The life expectancy of Palmetto Palms is between 100 and 200 years or more. They grow very slowly, reaching their fully mature size in a few decades.
Harvesting Sabal
Palmetto palms produce a few edible parts, including their inner terminal bud (Heart of Palm or Swamp Cabbage) and small dark fruits. Keep in mind that harvesting Heart of Palm permanently destroys the tree. The primary species cultivated for Heart of Palm in this genus is Sabal palmetto, or the Cabbage Palm, though all single-trunk species in the genus produce them. The Heart of Palm itself is the terminal bud of the palm tree, and is crisp, tender, and mildly sweet or cabbage-like. It is typically 4 inches long and 1 to 1.5 inches thick. Heart of Palm can be sliced and used in salads, used as a vegan substitute for seafood, or fried in rings or sticks. They can also be blended with garlic, herbs, and dairy to build a unique twist on an Artichoke dip.
Sabal palms also produce edible fruits that are dark blue to black when ripe and measure bout a 1/4 to 1/2 inch in diameter. They are typically ripe in late summer or fall, and feature a thin layer of flesh over a large seed. The fruit flesh has a sweet, pleasant flavor, but can sometimes be bitter or have an acrid aftertaste. They were historically consumed as an emergency or famine food, and today are typically regarded as wildlife forage. The sweet pulp can be eaten fresh off of the tree or cooked down into syrup, and the hard seeds can be ground into a starchy flour or meal substitute.
Disclaimer: Information contained on this website is strictly and categorically intended as a reference to be used in conjunction with experts in your area. Foraging and consumption of plant parts should never begin without the guidance and approval of a local plant specialist. The providers of this website accept no liability for the use or misuse of information contained in this website.
Propagation
Sabal, or Palmetto Palm, is almost exclusively propagated using fresh seeds, as they do not reliably grow from cuttings or division. Sabal Palms are monoecious, producing perfect or bisexual flowers containing both male and female parts on the same plant or inflorescence. This means that a single palm can successfully produce flowers and viable seed when planted on its own. To propagate Palmetto Palms, follow the instructions below:
Propagating Sabal by Seed
Propagating Sabal by Seed
- To propagate by seed, you will need a pot filled with well-draining substrate. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
- Harvest seeds in late summer or fall. The seeds of Sabal Palms are held inside of fruits produced by trees, which will mature to black when ripe. Cut open the fruit and remove the flesh from seeds. Rinse to remove any that remains, as leftover pulp can harbor fungi or inhibit moisture uptake.
- Submerge the seeds in warm tap water for between 24 and 48 hours. Discard any seeds that float, as this typically means that they are hollow and therefore not viable. While these seeds do not generally require any treatment, germination rates can be improved by a period of cold stratification. To complete this process, place seeds after soaking into moistened sand or peat moss inside of a sealable container or plastic bag. Place the bag in the refrigerator or another space that remains between 38 and 40 degrees Fahrenheit for 30 days. After this period has passed, remove seeds and sow them.
- Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place the seed(s) in the prepared pot or seed tray an inch under the soil surface. If the seed has sprouted during treatment, plant it with the small white root pointing downward. Cover the seed(s) with soil and water. Place the pot in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination can take 6-9 months from sowing (or longer).
- Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.
Palmetto fruits emerge green and mature to black. They each contain one seed.
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Sabal seeds are small, hard, round, and slightly irregular-shaped. They are typically shiny and deep brown to jet black when fully ripe.
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Problems and Pests
Sabal, or Palmetto, can be susceptible to developing issues with the following pests and diseases in the landscape:
- Lethal Bronzing Disease (LBD)
- Ganoderma Butt Rot
- Thielaviopsis Trunk Rot
- Graphiola Leaf Spot (False Smut)
- Palmetto Weevil
- Scale Insects
- Cabbage Palm Caterpillars
Gallery
Palmetto Palms produce large inflorescences of flowers followed by berries.
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Sabal minor makes a great privacy hedge, and remains low throughout its life.
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Sabal Palms add instant tropical feel to landscapes.
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Videos
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Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 581, Sabal
