Sabal palmetto
 
Common Names Cabbage Palm, Carolina Palmetto, Sabal Palm
 
Zones 8a–11
 
The iconic state tree of Florida and South Carolina, Sabal palmetto is a towering fan palm native to the coastal southeastern U.S., the Bahamas, and Cuba. Known for its resilience, it thrives in salt spray, flooding, drought, and poor soils. Its stout trunk, rounded crown, and rustling fronds make it a staple of coastal landscapes and restoration projects.
 
Key Features
Growth Habit: Solitary; upright; slow-growing
Height: 30–65 ft (9–20 m); trunk diameter 12–20 in (30–50 cm)
Trunk: Smooth or booted; gray to brown; leaf bases shed over time
Leaves: Costapalmate; 40–60 segments per leaf; up to 6 ft (1.8 m) wide; leaf tips drooping
Inflorescence: Creamy white flowers; branched to 3 orders; plume-like sprays up to 8 ft (2.5 m) long
Fruit: Black drupes; 0.5 in (1.3 cm) diameter; single-seeded; wildlife food source
Ecology: Native to coastal plains, maritime forests, and marsh edges from NC to TX, and throughout Florida2
 
Growing Conditions
Light: Full sun
Watering: Low to moderate; drought and flood tolerant
Soil: Adaptable; tolerates sand, clay, and alkaline soils
Temperature: Hardy to ~10°F (–12°C); leaf damage below 5°F (–15°C)
Humidity: Tolerant of high humidity and salt spray
Propagation: By seed; slow germination
Tolerance: Salt, drought, flooding, urban conditions
 
Landscape Use Ideal for coastal gardens, public parks, native plantings, and restoration of maritime habitats. Pairs well with Serenoa repens, Ilex vomitoria, and Muhlenbergia capillaris.