Blue Palmetto
Sabal palmetto
Last reviewed: September 2026
Sabal palmetto, the cabbage palm, is a tall evergreen tree with fan shaped fronds that grows well in full sun across coastal plains and lowlands of the Southeast, blooming in May and June.
Toxicity unknown
Blue Palmetto (Sabal palmetto) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag Blue Palmetto as toxic to livestock.
Light
full sun
Water
medium
Size
360"–1200" H × 240"–480" W
Bloom
May, Jun
Native to
AL, FL, GA, MS and 2 more states
Pollinators
bees, beetles
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
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Sabal palmetto is a majestic native palm that creates an iconic landscape statement. This slow-growing evergreen palm develops a distinctive fan-shaped crown and can reach impressive heights over many decades. It tolerates coastal conditions well and adds tropical elegance to any landscape setting.
Growing Blue Palmetto
Grow Blue Palmetto in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 360 to 1200 inches tall and spread 240 to 480 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Blue Palmetto is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.
Works well in: front yard, foundation, street edge, mid zone.
- Extremely large mature size may overwhelm smaller properties
- Slow growth means long-term planning required
Wildlife value
The cream-colored flower clusters attract bees and beetles during late spring and early summer blooms. The small dark fruits that follow provide food for various bird species and wildlife.
Common questions
- When does Sabal palmetto bloom?
- Sabal palmetto blooms in May and June, sending up large branched flower stalks with small cream colored flowers above the crown of fronds.
- What pollinates Sabal palmetto flowers?
- Bees and beetles visit the small flower clusters of Sabal palmetto during its spring bloom period.
- How much water does Sabal palmetto need?
- Sabal palmetto does best with medium moisture but tolerates both wet, low lying sites and dry, sandy soils once established.
- How much sun does Sabal palmetto need?
- Sabal palmetto grows best in full sun but will also tolerate part sun or part shade, especially while young.
- Is Blue Palmetto toxic to livestock?
- The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag Blue Palmetto as toxic to livestock.
- Is Blue Palmetto HOA-friendly?
- Blue Palmetto is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.
These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.
Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Blue Palmetto? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.
Planning a bed around it? Start a free plan with this plant
Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz