Sabal palmetto
Palmetto, Cabbage palm, Common blue palmetto, Cabbage palmetto
- Height × spread
- 30m × 5m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
These can be grown in a greenhouse in colder parts of Britain and Ireland. It will need protection when the temperature falls below minus 3 degrees C and will die if it reaches minus 8 degrees C. It is a tall palm with a slender trunk that bears the remains of the old leaves. These are often clipped off and the brown stumps pattern the stems. Eventually, the trunk settles down to a rough textured column. The leaves are fan shaped. They make a stiff, picturesque, shape. The individual leaves may measure as much as 2m (7ft) in length and slender cotton like filaments hang from them. It produces a 1.5m spray of creamy yellow flowers. This good looking palm is tolerant of salt spray. Give it fertile moist soil in a sunny spot. Feed regularly whilst in growth. It can reach up to 30m (100ft) in its native land with 7m (23ft) spread.
- Flower colour
- Yellow
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Round
- Height
- 30m
- Spread
- 5m
- Height in 10 years
- 2.5m
- Spread in 10 years
- 2m
- Evergreen
- Evergreen
- Garden style
- Seaside garden, Mediterranean garden, Indoors, Conservatory
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun, tolerates part shade
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam (normal)
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil, Dry soil, Drought resistant
- Hardiness
- Mild winter to -5C (RHS H3)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Indoor light
- bright spot, no direct sun
- Indoor temperature
- 0C minimum temperature
- Use for
- Architectural
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Feed with houseplant food monthly
Give the plant a balanced houseplant feed monthly while in growth.
Where food elements are listed as three numeric values on the label representing in order Nitrogen(N)-Phosphorus(P)-Potassium(K), with percentage values for each, choose one where the values are more or less equal.
Spring-Autumn · Indoors
Water to keep the soil moist
Water moderately from the period when growth starts (around April) until the early autumn (September).
Spring-Winter · Indoors
Mist the plant daily
Soft or rain water is preferred as it doesn't mark the foliage. Don't mist when the plant is in sunshine or the foliage could be scorched.
Mist the plant daily.
Spring - late · Outdoors
Feed with slow release fertiliser
Apply a general purpose slow release fertiliser, spreading it around the root area of the plant as it is coming into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water during dry periods
For plants in the ground, when there has been little or no rain for a period of 7-10 days and the soil is dry, give it a deep watering and repeat weekly until there is a downpour of rain. Check plants in pots more frequently, especially in hot weather.
Summer
Summer-Autumn · Outdoors
Mist the plant in warm weather
Revive plants in warm or hot weather by misting the foliage, preferably using soft or rain water which doesn't mark the foliage. Don't mist when the plant is in full sun. The plant can be misted twice daily if you notice the process revives it.
If leaves are covered in water drops when sun is on them, the droplets can act as little magnifying glasses and cause foliage scorch.
Winter
Winter · Indoors
Water moderately in winter
Water moderately.
Give a small amount of water so that the plant doesn't become flaccid (leaves lose their firmness and may droop or look lifeless), or dessicated, but do not saturate the compost or leave it standing in water.
Winter · Outdoors
Water lightly during dormancy
The soil should be kept just moist during the plant's rest period.
Planting & general
Compost · Planting
Houseplant compost for repotting
Repot using any good quality house plant compost.
Indoor temperature · Planting
0C minimum temperature
This plant requires a minimum temperature of 0 Centigrade.
Indoor plant · Planting
Position in a bright spot, no direct sun
Give this a bright position away from the direct sun, especially direct sun at the height of the day. (Direct sunshine is too hot and can burn the leaves.) Move the plant to a brighter position in the room during winter and early spring.