wetland shrub
Dwarf Palmetto
Sabal minor
1 of 2Native to the Southeast
North Carolina south to Florida, west to Arkansas and central Texas, south to Nuevo Leon in northeastern Mexico
- Light Full sun to shade Sun tolerance
- Moisture Dry to moist Moisture preference
- Zones n/a Cold to heat range
- Bloom May–Jul Flowering time
- Height 5–8 ft 1.5–2.4 m
- Life cycle Perennial Annual to perennial
In the garden
A wetland shrub for sun through shade and dry to moist soil. Its white flowers peak in June. At 5–8 ft, it needs room in rain gardens, pond edges, and damp low spots.
Growing conditions
Light
Full sun Partial shade Full shade
Moisture
Dry Moist Wet
When it blooms
The Dwarf Palmetto's white flowers bloom May to July, peaking in June. This early-summer display draws bees.
Dwarf Palmetto blooms whiteFoliage
Pollinators & wildlife
- Bees Eastern Carpenter Bee
Full plant details
Where it grows
- Habitat
- WetlandThe wild plant community it grows in.
- Native range
- The SoutheastUnited States (9): AL, AR, FL, GA, LA, MS, NC, SC, TX. Where it grows wild on its own, by state and province.
- Native distribution
- North Carolina south to Florida, west to Arkansas and central Texas, south to Nuevo Leon in northeastern MexicoThe same native range, usually more exact than the state list, and often noting where it has spread beyond it.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Full sun to shadeHow much sun it takes, from full sun to full shade.
- Moisture
- Dry to moistThe soil dampness it prefers, from dry to wet.
- Soil
- Moist soils. Sandy, Sandy Loam, Medium Loam, Clay Loam, ClayThe soils it grows in naturally.
- Soil texture
- Light to heavy (sandy to clay)The soil grade it prefers, from sand to clay.
- Soil pH
- 5.5–6.5The acidity to alkalinity it tolerates (7 is neutral).
- Soil quality
- LowHow rich a soil it needs. Many natives prefer lean soil and flop in rich beds.
- Water use
- MediumHow thirsty it is, a rough guide to how often to water.
- Salinity tolerance
- NoneHow well it copes with salty soil, near roads or the coast.
- Lime (CaCO₃) tolerance
- NoneHow well it copes with chalky, lime-rich soil.
Growth & form
- Height
- 5–8 ft (1.5–2.4 m)Typical mature height.
- Spread
- ~7 ft (2 m)How wide one plant gets, a guide to spacing.
- Life cycle
- PerennialWhether it lives a single season (annual), two (biennial), or returns for years (perennial).
- Growth rate
- SlowA relative ranking versus other plants of the same type (USDA), not an absolute rate.
- Shape
- ErectIts overall silhouette.
- Root depth
- 18+ in (46+ cm)How far the roots reach, a guide to drought resilience and transplanting.
Flowers, foliage & fruit
- Type
- ShrubWhat kind of plant it is.
- Bloom
- May–JulWhen it flowers.
- Flower color
- WhiteThe bloom color, or colors.
- Fruit/Seeds
- ripens Jun–DecThe seed or fruit it sets after flowering.
- Toxicity
- None knownWhether any part is poisonous to people or pets.
Propagation & seed
- Cold stratification
- Not requiredWhether seed needs a cold, moist spell before it will germinate.
- Propagation
- Bare root, container, seedHow to start new plants.
- Seed
- ~0.0 million seeds per poundNotes on the seed and how to sow it.
- Seed spread rate
- ModerateHow readily it self-sows. Slow or none means well-behaved, not a spreader.
- Seedling vigor
- LowHow strongly young seedlings establish.