Sabal palmetto

Palmetto is an evergreen, perennial tree in the palm family (Arecaceae). It is native to much of the SE USA, the Bahamas and Cuba. In North Carolina, it occurs naturally in the Cape Fear area. The origin of the genus name is obscure. The species epithet is taken from palmito, the Spanish word for the edible terminal bud (heart-of-palm or “cabbage”). Another common name for this palm is cabbage palm, so named for its edible bud.

Palmetto is an easy-to-grow, solitary-trunked palm in areas warm enough to grow it. It is not fussy about soils, and it can tolerate light frosts or bouts of sub-freezing temperatures. Once established it is both drought- and flood-tolerant. It tolerates some shading while a juvenile, but the palm needs full sun most of the day. Seedlings and juveniles in forest understories will not produce an above-ground trunk until an opening in the canopy allows them to “see” sky. It grows best with regular irrigation on fertile, hummus-rich soils. Annual fertilizing with a palm-specific or a general slow-release fertilizer is advised. If desired, dead leaves can be pruned, but take off only brown leaves. Green leaves should never be removed, as doing so stunts the palm’s ability to grow. 

The large, evergreen plicate leaves rustle in the wind, adding a sonic component to a garden, and the sound of rain pelting the leaves is unforgettable. They are untroubled by serious pests, storm damage, heat or humidity. Palmetto has fragrant flowers that attract an astonishing variety of bees and other pollinators, and the fruits are enjoyed by many animals, including cedar waxwings, black bears, and coyotes. The terminal bud is edible (as "palm cabbage"), but removing it kills the tree. It is a source of palmetto honey in more southern states. In Florida, lethal bronzing disease is a serious threat to palmetto. The disease has not been confirmed in North Carolina.

It is not hardy in piedmont or mountains but does well in the southeastern tip of North Carolina's coastal plain. It is found in maritime forests, marsh edges, and other near-coastal communities. This plant is highly salt tolerant. It can be used in foundation plants, informal or formal groupings in pollinator, native plant, or winter gardens. It is an excellent choice for seaside gardens, rain gardens, children’s gardens and sensory gardens.

In NC, palmetto is a threatened species. It is found naturally only in Brunswick Co., NC (but the species is abundant in states farther south).

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  Certain pests can disfigure foliage, but the pests are not lethal and the damage is purely cosmetic. Lethal bronzing disease is a major concern in Florida. It seems only a matter of time until it spreads to North Carolina.