Cabbage Palmetto
Sabal palmetto
Also listed as Corypha palmetto, Inodes schwarzii
Also known as Cabbage Palm, Sabal Palm, Carolina Palmetto
Climate Match for your location
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Cabbage palmetto is a native Florida palm with a tall, straight trunk crowned by large, fan-shaped fronds. It is salt-tolerant, cold-hardy for a palm, and makes an excellent accent tree in warm climates.
Why grow it
Cabbage palmetto outperforms most ornamental palms in cold tolerance and coastal salt exposure, making it suitable for the southeastern U.S. where tender tropical palms would fail. Its slow growth and modest mature height (25-40 feet) suit smaller properties better than faster-growing, taller palm species. The edible heart (though harvesting kills the plant) and wildlife value from fruit production add functional interest beyond ornamental appeal.
Watch out for
Young plants require consistent moisture during establishment; drought stress can slow growth considerably in the first few years. The fronds shed naturally and accumulate as heavy thatch around the base, requiring periodic removal to prevent pest habitat and improve appearance. In areas north of its native range, unexpected cold snaps may cause dieback of new growth even in nominally cold-hardy locations.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Arecaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Southeastern United States
Native to: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Cabbage palmetto is a native Florida palm with a tall, straight trunk crowned by large, fan-shaped fronds. It is salt-tolerant, cold-hardy for a palm, and makes an excellent accent tree in warm climates.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Cabbage Palmetto grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Cabbage palmetto outperforms most ornamental palms in cold tolerance and coastal salt exposure, making it suitable for the southeastern U.S. where tender tropical palms would fail. Its slow growth and modest mature height (25-40 feet) suit smaller properties better than faster-growing, taller palm species. The edible heart (though harvesting kills the plant) and wildlife value from fruit production add functional interest beyond ornamental appeal.
Watch out for
Young plants require consistent moisture during establishment; drought stress can slow growth considerably in the first few years. The fronds shed naturally and accumulate as heavy thatch around the base, requiring periodic removal to prevent pest habitat and improve appearance. In areas north of its native range, unexpected cold snaps may cause dieback of new growth even in nominally cold-hardy locations.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Arecaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Southeastern United States
Native to: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Canopy
The tallest trees that form the overstory.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
Deer Resistance
Inferred from USDA browse palatability
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
Similar canopy trees you might consider:
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