Dwarf Palmetto Sabal minor
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- SAY-bal MY-nor
- Description
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Sabal minor, commonly known as the dwarf palmetto, is a small species of palm growing 2'-7' in height. It is native to the deep southeastern and south-central United States and northeastern Mexico. 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 drought tolerant has a slow growth rate and a moderate salt tolerance. This plant is seldom damaged by deer.
Flowers are fragrant. The most cold-hardy native palm; native only in coastal NC and south. Stems usuallly not visible; leaf blades lack prominent midrib.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems.
- Profile Video:
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Tropical Look Garden
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 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.
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- This plant is seldom damaged from deer. Drought tolerant.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 7 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:
- High Organic Matter
- 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:
- 7b, 7a, 8b, 8a, 9b, 9a, 10b, 10a
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Round <.5 inch fleshy shiny black drupe with one seed. Displays from September to November
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Blue
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Panicle
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- 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
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Coastal
- Small Space
- Landscape Theme:
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Winter Garden
- Attracts:
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Drought
- Salt
- Wet Soil
