Dwarf Palmetto Sabal minor
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- SAY-bal MY-nor
- Description
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Dwarf palmetto is a small species of palm in the Arecaceae family growing 2'-10' in height. It is native to the deep southeastern and south-central United States and northeastern Mexico. North Carolina is its northernmost range. It is naturally found in a diversity of habitats, including maritime forests, swamps, floodplains, and occasionally on drier sites. While it is naturally found along the coast, it can withstand up to zone 7 with adequate winter protection. It is somewhat drought tolerant once established, has a slow growth rate and a moderate salt tolerance. This plant is seldom damaged by deer.
Flowers are fragrant and appear in summer. The leaves lack ribs and are in a fan-like form It does well as a specimen, in understory plantings and provides a tropical look for foundation plantings. The flowers attract pollinators and the ripe berries feed birds and small mammals. This palm grows very slowly in North Carolina so buy the size you want it to be.
Plant in moist to wet soils in full sun to partial shade. Dwarf palmetto can tolerate poorly drained soils and is a good choice for rain gardens.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems.
Additional video for Sabal minor from the Native Plant Picks series from the North Carolina Sea Grant led Coastal Landscapes Initiative.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Savannah Silver'
- 'Savannah Silver'
- 'Savannah Silver'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Savannah Silver'
- 'Savannah Silver'
- 'Savannah Silver'
- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Sabal
- Species:
- minor
- Family:
- Arecaceae
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- S. Oklahoma to SE. U.S.A., Mexico
- Wildlife Value:
- Fruits are eaten by robins, raccoons, and many other birds and mammals.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Wildlife Cover/Habitat
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- This plant is seldom damaged from deer. Drought tolerant.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Native Plant
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Slow
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Frequent Standing Water
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- Occasionally Wet
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- 6-feet-12 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Green
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Round <.5 inch fleshy shiny drupe with one seed. Green maturing to purple/black. Displays from August to November
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Size:
- > 6 inches
- Flower Description:
- May-July yellow-white to blue compound panicles up to 6' long
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Broadleaf Evergreen
- Leaf Color:
- Blue
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Palmasect
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Alternate fan-shaped simple deeply divided lobed suborbicular palmate leaf 1'-5' tall and wide and attractive in the winter. Petioles are smooth and long.
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Bark:
- Bark Description:
- The trunk of this plant is partially subterranean.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Description:
- Stem is underground
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Naturalized Area
- Patio
- Pond
- Pool/Hardscape
- Riparian
- Landscape Theme:
- Rain Garden
- Water Garden
- Winter Garden
- Design Feature:
- Foundation Planting
- Specimen
- Understory Tree
- Attracts:
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Salt
- Wet Soil
