The Sabal Palmetto is also known as the Cabbage Palm is a majestic palm native to coastal regions.
The Sabal palm tree is a slow to moderate-growing palm commonly found throughout its native states including Florida, Georgia, South Carolina and Coastal North Carolina. Sabal Palmettos typically grow 12-24 inches per year.
When mature, they can reach 20 to 25 feet tall with a canopy width ranging from 8 to 10 feet. In the wild, however, they can grow as tall as 50 to 60 feet and their thick canopy of green, fan-shaped fronds can spread 10 to 15 feet wide. Isn’t it amazing how nature adapts to its environment?
With all the above said, you may already sense that this is a robust palm tree with an impressive canopy and plenty of features that make it a strong contender—especially if you’re living in Atlanta. Let’s dive deeper into its main characteristics.
Main Characteristics and Care
Sabal Palmettos are extremely drought tolerant, salt-tolerant and resistant to pests and diseases. But that is not all. As you’ve come to expect, at Atlanta Palms we specialize in cold-hardy varieties—and the Sabal Palmetto is no exception.
Sabal Palmettos are cold-hardy down to 20°F, with short drops to 10°F, making a perfect match with Georgia’s Cold Hardiness.
Sabals are also impressively wind-tolerant—known to survive gusts of over 100 miles per hour.
We say their maintenance requirements are low, but if you want your Sabal Palm to be the standout palm in your neighborhood, here are a few best practices to keep in mind:
Sabal Palmettos thrive in locations with full sun to partial shade. One key tip: the more sun it gets, the faster it will grow.
Here’s a common mistake to avoid when picking the right spot for your green friend: don’t base the location on where you want it—base it on what it needs. That small shift in thinking can mean years of enjoyment, and it could spare you the disappointment of seeing your palm tree struggle or fail before its time.
This palm needs to be watered once a week once it is mature. If it rains, you can assume that Mother Nature has done the job for you.
When newly planted, and for the first month, water twice a week. Each watering should be deep and thorough to ensure the lower roots are fully reached. But be careful! watering sessions must be spaced out so the roots have time to dry completely: Overwatering can cause permanent damage to the roots over time.
In addition to the above, good drainage is also a nice bonus. To improve drainage you can combine 70% soil with 30% coarse sand.
For the expert readers, the amount of water needed per palm, per watering session should match the volume of the original planting hole. This amount may range from 2 gallons for small containerized material to 15 gallons for larger specimens.
Container-grown palms need more frequent watering than those planted directly in the ground. But don’t worry—if you don’t follow these guidelines to the letter, your Sabal Palm will still thrive, as long as you meet the minimum care needs and stay consistent.
As we always say, watering should be adjusted based on your geographic location and the intensity of the season.
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Winter: (60 degrees or less) no need to water, except for the first 30 days after installation.
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Spring: (75 degrees or less) Once a week.
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Beginning of Summer: (90 degrees or less) Twice a week.
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Heat of Summer: (90 degrees and above) Three times a week.
Note for winter: If temperatures drop below 10°F, wrap the trunk with a thick blanket or frost cloth. For added protection, you can wrap incandescent lights (not LED) around the blanket to generate gentle heat. This simple step can help your palm stay warm and better tolerate freezing temperatures.
Curious Facts You Didn’t Know About Sabal Palmettos
The Sabal Palmetto tree is also known as the Cabbage Palm and it earns its name from the edible portion in the heart of this palm, commonly known as the heart of palm or swamp cabbage, and is considered a culinary delicacy.
The heart of palm is often braised with green cabbage, bacon and other vegetables and spices making a traditional dish that’s a beloved part of Florida’s cuisine.
No need to mention that harvesting the heart of the palm results in the death of the tree so this is more of an interesting fact than a practical tip. At Atlanta Palms, we care for palm trees—we don’t eat them!
This is such an iconic palm that it is the official state tree of both Florida and South Carolina. It even appears on the South Carolina state flag, beside a crescent moon:
Sabal Palmettos can be styled as booted or slick trunks. Booted Sabals are natural palms that have their “bootjacks” : the leftover bases from old fronds that have fallen off—giving the trunk a textured, thicker look:
Slick Sabals have the spiky boots shaved off, giving them a cleaner, more streamlined look which gives you the option to choose the style that best complements your landscape.
Whether you go for the booted or Slick Sabal Palm (at Atlanta Palms you can choose either), Sabal Palmettos look stunning when used as a landscape specimen, accent tree, or planted in groups of staggering heights.
Booted or Slick, they make fantastic tropical accent palms in pool areas.
Reason why you should have a Sabal Palmetto in your front Yard
All the above said, here are the reasons why you should have a Sabal Palm Tree:
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Low maintenance: This majestic palm offers a lot while asking very little from you.
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Tough as nails: It tolerates wind, cold, drought,and even deer! A truly robust palm that stands strong until the very end.
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Landscape star: As it grows, your yard will become “that” yard—one every neighbor wishes they had when they grow old.
If you need more reasons, come visit us at the store, your perfect palm tree is waiting for you here.