Dwarf palmetto

Shrub

Sabal minor

Dwarf palmetto

A very hardy, trunkless palm with stiff blue-green fan leaves and tall sprays of fragrant cream flowers.

  • Full sun, Partial shade
  • 1.5–2.5 m (5–8 ft)
  • 1–1.5 m (3–5 ft)
  • H5 · Zone 7
  • June–July
  • Evergreen

Overview

Dwarf palmetto is native to the south-eastern USA and north-eastern Mexico. It usually stays trunkless, forming a clump of stiff, blue-green to green fan leaves, with upright panicles of fragrant cream flowers held above them in summer and shiny black fruits that birds eat.

It is hardy to about −15°C (5°F) or lower, USDA zones 7–10. It grows actively only in real summer heat, so in cool climates it is very slow; in hot, humid summers it does well and tolerates wet, poorly drained soil and some salt.

Grow in sun or part shade in moist soil.

At a Glance

Sun Full sun, Partial shade
Height 1.5–2.5 m (5–8 ft)
Spread 1–1.5 m (3–5 ft)
Hardiness H5 · Zone 7
Flowers June–July
Soil Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
Moisture Moist well drained
Habit Clumping, Rounded
Water Moderate
Maintenance Easy

Growing Conditions

Min. Temperature -15°C (5°F)
pH Range 6–8
Fertility Average
Drainage Moderate

Aspect Suitability

  • North-facing
  • East-facing
  • South-facing
  • West-facing

Site Tolerance

  • Coastal
  • Wet soil

Soil Tolerance

  • Clay
  • Chalk
  • Sandy
  • Loam
  • Acid
  • Neutral pH
  • Alkaline

Foliage

Persistence Evergreen
Colour Blue-green, Green
Leaf shape / texture palmate_fan
  • Architectural foliage

Foliage interest: 12 months of the year

Seasonal Timeline

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
Flowering
Foliage
Fruiting
Propagate
  • Flowering Jun Jul
  • Foliage 12 months of the year
  • Fruiting Sep Oct Nov
  • Propagate Apr May

How to propagate

One way to grow more Dwarf palmetto: the usual steps for each method.

From seed Apr–May Easy
  • Needs light to germinate: press onto the surface, don't cover
  • Soak in warm water for 24 hours before sowing
  • Germinates best at about 28°C
  • Comes up in 30–120 days
  • Prick out about 8 weeks after sowing
  • Pot on about 30 weeks after sowing

You'll need: Seed compost, a seed tray or small pots, labels, and a clear lid or plastic bag.

  1. Fill a tray or pots with seed compost, level it and firm it gently.
  2. Water the compost and let it drain.
  3. Sow the seeds thinly on top. Cover them with a fine layer of compost or vermiculite about as deep as the seed is big; leave tiny seeds uncovered.
  4. Label them, cover with a clear lid or bag, and keep them somewhere bright but out of hot sun.
  5. Keep the compost just moist, and take the cover off once seedlings appear.
How long
Usually comes up in 1 to 3 weeks.
It's worked when
Seedlings with their first pair of leaves.
Then
When each has its first true leaves, prick them out into their own small pots, holding them by a leaf, never the stem. Harden them off for a week or two before planting out.

Fresh seed germinates in warmth in a few months.

Garden Design

Works well in: Tropical / Exotic, Wildlife-friendly, Woodland / Shade

A trunkless palm of stiff blue-green fans, with tall stems of scented cream flowers then black fruits. Very hardy but very slow.

Companion planting: Rhapidophyllum, Ferns, Aspidistras, Yuccas

Wildlife Value

  • Bees
  • Birds
  • Food source
  • Food

Food for birds: September–November