Serenoa repens (Saw Palmetto) - Practical Plants (2025)

Edible uses

Notes

Material uses

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The seed is best sown in a warm greenhouse as soon as it is ripe. It usually germinates freely. Stored seed is more difficult to germinate, it should be pre-soaked for 24 hours in warm water before sowing in a warm greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first two winters. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.Although the plant forms suckers, these do not usually transplant well and so seed is the only sure method of propagation^[6].

Requires a warm sunny position in a moist but well-drained soil^[7]. Plants can succeed in quite dry soils so long as their roots can penetrate to underground water^[7]. Growing mainly in coastal areas in its native range, this species is likely to be very tolerant of maritime exposure, though not of cold winds[K].

This species is one of the hardiest of palms and succeeds outdoors in warm temperate zones^[6]. It is only likely to be marginally hardy, even in the mildest areas of Britain, and probably tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[K].Palms usually have deep penetrating root systems and generally establish best when planted out at a young stage. However, older plants are substantially more cold tolerant than juvenile plants^[7]. In areas at the limit of their cold tolerance, therefore, it is prudent to grow the plants in containers for some years, giving them winter protection, and only planting them into their permanent positions when sheer size dictates^[7]. Palms can also be transplanted even when very large. Although the thick fleshy roots are easily damaged and/or desiccated, new roots are generally freely produced. It is important to stake the plant very firmly to prevent rock, and also to give it plenty of water until re-established - removing many of the leaves can also help^[7].

Plants usually sucker freely in the wild and form dense thickets^[6].