Tips on growing a Sabal palmetto in a pot

[Palm Tree lover]

Hello,

I am growing a Sabal palmetto in a pot indoors year round and would like some tips on how to take care of it. It’s my first time growing a Sabal palm indoors! Does anyone have any experience on maintaining a Sabal palm indoors? I’d like to hear some input and share some photos of your Sabal palmetto growing in an indoor environment. What does the temperature range have to be and humidity? I know Sabal palms like a lot of heat and humidity. I am in Central Jersey about a zone 6b. The palmetto palm stays by an east facing window and receives bright direct light during the morning and indirect light during the afternoon. The indoor temp is usually in the low to mid 70s °F. I usually water the palm once a week. Any advice on watering. 
 

Thanks! 

[Kenny Hamilton]

My Sabal goes outside in summer, inside for winter.  Winter South facing window watering once a week for 10 year old plant.  Doing quite well, will transplant to bigger pot when roots show at surface.

[DreaminAboutPalms]

If you want it to actually grow it needs lot of sun and water and temps above 85. I would put it outside in summer and in the winter buy a grow light and maybe even a heat mat so it has a chance to grow. 

There's been people that try to grow them without enough heat in the PNW and in Europe and they literally just stay at the same size forever. 

Edited August 11, 2022 by DreaminAboutPalms

[SeanK]

I have palmettos and minors, outdoors. They love lots of water and lots of sun.

One palmetto grew twice as fast as another because it was next to my A/C drip line. Even S.minor will go from one split leaf to a 5-gal size in a year if its needs are met.

[hbernstein]

On 8/11/2022 at 6:30 PM, DreaminAboutPalms said:

If you want it to actually grow it needs lot of sun and water and temps above 85. I would put it outside in summer and in the winter buy a grow light and maybe even a heat mat so it has a chance to grow. 

There's been people that try to grow them without enough heat in the PNW and in Europe and they literally just stay at the same size forever. 

Sabal Palmetto tends to grow very slowly in low light conditions. Even in the wild plants seem to seldom form trunks if growing in deep shade. I'd say that's an advantage for indoor growing!

[Palm Tree lover]

Thank you everyone for the advice! Hopefully my Sabal palm grows taller! 

[Pal Meir]

A very slow grower in non-(sub)tropical Germany: 

[Palm Tree lover]

On 8/17/2022 at 9:37 AM, SeanK said:

I have palmettos and minors, outdoors. They love lots of water and lots of sun.

One palmetto grew twice as fast as another because it was next to my A/C drip line. Even S.minor will go from one split leaf to a 5-gal size in a year if its needs are met.

Hi SeanK,

Do you have any photos of your palms?

Thanks! 

[Palm Tree lover]

On 8/7/2022 at 6:21 PM, Kenny Hamilton said:

My Sabal goes outside in summer, inside for winter.  Winter South facing window watering once a week for 10 year old plant.  Doing quite well, will transplant to bigger pot when roots show at surface.

Hi Kenny Hamilton,

Any update on your palmetto palm? 
 

Thanks!

[Leelanau Palms]

Any updates on these sabals in pots?

[Palm Tree lover]

13 hours ago, Leelanau Palms said:

Any updates on these sabals in pots?

Hello everyone,

Here is an update on my Sabal palmetto.

[Leelanau Palms]

How old is it now? How long in that pot?

[Palm Tree lover]

On 1/6/2024 at 7:10 PM, Leelanau Palms said:

How old is it now? How long in that pot?

Hi Leelanau Palms,

I’m not sure of the exact age of the palm, maybe a few years old according to where I purchased the palm. It’s been in the pot for almost two years. Unfortunately, it died from what I think could’ve been overwatering. 

[Leelanau Palms]

RIP. Thanks for the update. I tried to kill of my needle palm in a pot with too heavy soil and fall overwatering.

[PalmatierMeg]

On 1/6/2024 at 6:38 PM, Palm Tree lover said:

Hello everyone,

Here is an update on my Sabal palmetto.

Why is there so little soil in the pot? Sabals need deep pots and plentiful soil to accommodate their saxophone roots. Is the pot sitting in a tray of water? You should water then drain excess water into a bathtub or shower. My understanding is that Sabal spp make poor/difficult houseplants. They are tough outdoor palms that want to be planted, not imprisoned long term in a container.

[BeyondTheGarden]

5 hours ago, Palm Tree lover said:

Hi Leelanau Palms,

I’m not sure of the exact age of the palm, maybe a few years old according to where I purchased the palm. It’s been in the pot for almost two years. Unfortunately, it died from what I think could’ve been overwatering. 

I am no expert, but I do not believe it is possible to overwater a Sabal (perhaps some of the more rare forms?  but palmetto and minor love wet feet).  Some palms (and temperamental plants) like small pots,  but it is the general experience of at least a few of us here, that Sabals like oversized pots and unnecessary amounts of water.  I can also attest that they generally do not grow in low temp or low humidity situations.  I had a couple sabals in my greenhouse in WA state and they barely moved due to lack of heat and humidity.