Sabal minor

Pronunciation: suh-BALL/SAY-bull MY-nor

Common Name: Dwarf Palmetto; Blue Palmetto

Sabal minor is a very commonly grown palm all over the US, not just California and Florida, thanks to its remarkable cold tolerance. It is, however, not one of the more ornamental palms so some enthusiasts have little love for this species. However, it is a reliable grower in most of California and a good choice for those living in fairly marginal climates. Sabal 'louisiana' is a generally a Sabal minor with a short trunk originating from the southern states west of Florida.

Synonyms: Sabal louisiana; Sabal pumila; Sabal caroliniana; Sabal floribunda

Appearance and Biology

Habit: solitary with a crown of 10-20 fan leaves
Height: trunk height none to 6' tall; over all height 5'-12'
Trunk: single; underground to 12" thick above ground
Crownshaft: none
Spread: 6'-10'
Leaf Description: palmate to very slightly costapalmate; deep green to somewhat dark, lime green or even blue-green; 4'-5' long; very stiff leaflets with minimal droop; leaf blades divided about 1/2-2/3 distance
Petiole/Leaf bases: 2'-3' long; unarmed but somewhat sharp-edged; lime green; split leaf bases on trunking palms; often retained for several years
Reproduction: monoecious
Inflorescence: longer than leaves (5'-6' long); only 2 branches
Fruit: spherical; 1/4"-1/3" in diameter; dark blue to black when ripe

Horticultural Characteristics

Minimum Temp: 10F
Drought Tolerance: fair to good
Dry Heat Tolerance: good
Cool Tolerance: very good
Wind Tolerance: good
Salt Tolerance: good
Growth Rate: slow
Soil Preference: very adaptable
Light Requirement: shade to full sun
Human Hazards: none
Disease or Horticultural Problems: none
Transplants?: fairly tolerant
Indoor?: unknown
Availability: moderately common

Palm Desert, California, in flower
San Fernando valley, juvenile palm, California
Huntington gardens, near Pasadena, California
Huntington gardens
tall trunking palms in Los Angeles arboretum near Pasadena, California
Huntington gardens
San Diego botanical gardens, Encinitas, California
Los Angeles arboretum
Leu Gardens, Orlando, Florida
flowering young palm in San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles county
palm in fruit, San Diego county, identified incorrectly as Sabal etonia

Sabal minor

Geoff Stein - Author & Editor