Care of the palm tree Sabal mexicana or Mexican palmetto |
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The genus Sabal, family Arecaceae, includes about 15 species of palm trees native to the region between the southern United States and northern South America. Some species are: Sabal mexicana, Sabal uresana, Sabal minor, Sabal bermudana, Sabal palmetto. Common names: Mexican palmetto, Texas palmetto, Texas sabal palm, Palmetto cabbage, Rio Grande palmetto. This species is native to Mexico, Texas, and Central America. They are slow-growing palm trees with a reddish trunk and a rounded crown that reach 15 meters (49.2 feet) in height. The leaves have a reddish petiole, fan-shaped, reach 1 meter (3.28 feet) in length and have filamentous margins. The flowers appear in long inflorescences (up to 2.5 meters/8.2 feet in length) and are yellowish-white. The fruits are small drupes 1 cm (0.39") in diameter and black or dark brown in color. They are used as isolated specimens, in small groups, on rockeries and on dry slopes. They are ideal for Mediterranean coastal gardens. The Mexican Sabal needs full sun or semi-shade exposure. They resist frost down to -10 ºC (14 ºF). They grow in any well-drained soil even in shallow, calcareous and clay soils. The planting is done in spring. Water regularly so that the substrate is always slightly damp, although they resist drought well. Fertilize once a month with mineral fertilizer for palm trees in spring and summer to accelerate growth. Dry leaves can be pruned but it is not strictly necessary. They are plants resistant to the usual pests and diseases. They are propagated from seeds sown in spring; they can germinate in 4-5 weeks. |
Images of the palm tree Sabal mexicana or Mexican palmetto |
 Sabal mexicana  Sabal mexicana  Sabal mexicana |