Sabal

[John2468]

Can Sabals stay in a pot indefinitely, if not, how long it stay in a pot before it becomes a problem? 

[Fusca]

21 minutes ago, John2468 said:

Can Sabals stay in a pot indefinitely, if not, how long it stay in a pot before it becomes a problem? 

I'm sure it's possible to keep Sabals in pots but in my experience they don't like being in pots.  They prefer to be in the ground with lots of sun and water.  I had a community pot of 5-7 Sabal guatemalensis in a container for 6 years and only 2 survived.  Those two were still strap-leaf seedlings about 6" in height after 6 years!  Within 18 months in the ground they not only went palmate but gained about 3' in height.  Keeping them in a pot really slowed down their growth.  Now I plant out my Sabal seedlings only 1-2 years after germination.

[John2468]

Thanks for the reply, are there any other palms that can live in a pot indefinitely aside from Hyophorbes? Thanks!!

[MrTropical]

18 hours ago, John2468 said:

Can Sabals stay in a pot indefinitely, if not, how long it stay in a pot before it becomes a problem? 

In my experience, it makes the already-slow growth rate even slower. I have a Palmetto seedling in a one-gallon pot, grew it from seed late last year; as of right now, it's first strap leaf is ~4 inches tall, with a second strap leaf just now starting to emerge.

In the ground is the best thing for any Sabal.

Happy Thanksgiving!
11-23-2023

[Philly J]

10 hours ago, John2468 said:

Thanks for the reply, are there any other palms that can live in a pot indefinitely aside from Hyophorbes? Thanks!!

Yup.  All of these 👍🏻

[Philly J]

10 hours ago, MrTropical said:

In my experience, it makes the already-slow growth rate even slower. I have a Palmetto seedling in a one-gallon pot, grew it from seed late last year; as of right now, it's first strap leaf is ~4 inches tall, with a second strap leaf just now starting to emerge.

In the ground is the best thing for any Sabal.

Happy Thanksgiving!
11-23-2023

Once it goes palmate and stops putting out straps, it takes off, in a pot or not.  👍🏻🥰

 

here is my 25 gallon Minor inside 10 months a year.  Spear push is clocked at an inch a week ❤️

[fr8train]

Here are a few of my larger ones. The uresana I've grown from seed I collected at the University of Arizona in 2011.

 

[PalmatierMeg]

In general, Sabals prefer ground to pots. That said, I've seen photos of uber dwarf Sabal minors (Blountstown, Chipola, Wakulla etc.) grown to seeding size in pots. They stay small enough that confines of a pot do not damage their saxophone roots.

[OC2Texaspalmlvr]

Any palm can be pot bound for life , will they look there best not a chance. I have many palms that are destined for life in a pot. Eventually they will out grow said pot or its space. In the pic I have a Royal that has outgrown its pot , Sabal Uresana that will be going in the ground this spring. Attalea that can be in its pot another year then moved up in pot. 2nd pic is a C.Lutescens is a great palm for pot life. 

T J 

[Pal Meir]

Sabal palmetto (grown up from seed in 1986) 14 yr and 22 yr old:

 

[Brad Mondel]

I've had a Sabal palmetto 'Lisa' in a pot for 7 years. Grows slow but is healthy.