Saw Palmetto

Saw Palmetto

Scientific Name

Serenoa repens

Geographical Considerations

Will this plant grow in my area?

View this image below in landscape mode highly recommended

Hardiness Zones

8a to 11

This is a native Florida plant.

Yard Conditions

Will this plant grow in my yard?

Optimal Light

Saw Palmetto grows best in Full Sun.

Light Range

It performs in Full Shade to Full Sun

Soil Texture

Any Texture

Soil Moisture

Well Drained

Soil pH

Tolerates Any Soil pH (4.5-8.0)

Salt Tolerance

High

DroughtTolerance

High

Wind Resistance

Not known

Toxicity

Not known

Nematode Tolerance

Not known

Appearance

What will it look like as it grows?

Plant Type

  • Palms and Palm-Like Plants

Plant Shape

  • Clumping
  • Irregular

Leaf Persistence

Saw Palmetto is Evergreen

Spread

4-10 feet

Height

3-10 feet

Growth Rate

Slow

Leaf Size

Large

Leaf Texture

Coarse

Flower Size

Large

Flower Month

  • March
  • April
  • May

Flower Color

  • White
  • Yellow

Plant Role for Butterflies

Host for the following butterflies

Additional Detail

Flammable - in wildfire prone areas, plant minimum 30' from buildings; yellow/white, spring flowers; difficult to transplant; grows on first dune; round black fruits provide food for wildlife. Yellow fruit. | Pests/Diseases: pest free | attracts butterflies, birds

UF IFAS Ext FFL