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Native Plant Society of Texas

Texas Sabal Palm

Sabal mexicana

Other common name(s):

Texas Palm, Texas Palmetto, Mexican Palm, Mexican Palmetto, Rio Grande Palmetto, Victoria Palmetto, Palma De Micharos, Apachite

Family:

Aracaceae (Palm Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

This map uses data from the US EPA. EPA  servers have been offline frequently so maps may not display. We are working on a solution.

Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes
Lower Rio Grande Alluvial Floodplain, Lower Rio Grande Valley, Northern Humid Gulf Coastal Prairies, Texas-Louisiana Coastal Marshes

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Tree

Height

35
to
45
ft.

Spread

12
to
15
ft.

Leaf Retention

Evergreen

Lifespan

Perennial

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Clay, Dry, Loam, Moist, Poor Drainage, Sand

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Low, Medium

Native Habitat

Grassland, Riparian, Wetland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

White

Bloom Season

Spring

Seasonal Interest

Fruit, Nesting Material

Wildlife Benefit

Birds

Maintenance

Slow growing and disease-resistant. This is a low maintenance tree which prefers moist well drained soils. Grow in sunny spots. For tree health, do not remove base of dead leaves. Very deep root system makes it hard to transplant after it gets a foot tall. Winter hardy as far north as Austin. Takes a lot of water to establish. Rare in the wild, but propagated commercially. May need extra care if grown outside of its native range. Native habitat: prairie, meadows, pastures, moist hammocks, floodplains, levees, river banks, swamps.

Description

Blooms March-May. The trunk does not appear until the tree is 10 years old. Produces large, blue-green, fan-shaped leaves. Dark purple fruit hangs down in clusters.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Inodes exul, Inodes texana, Sabal exul, Sabal texana

References

1) Griffith, Bryce, Omernick & Rodgers (2007). Ecoregions of Texas. 2) Miller, George O., Landscaping with Native Plants of Texas 2nd Ed., 2013, pg 48. 3) Wasowski and Wasowski, Native Texas Plants Landscaping Region by Region, 1991, pg. 346. 4) https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=SAME8. 5) https://portal.torcherbaria.org/portal/taxa/index.php?taxon=Sabal+mexicana&formsubmit=Search+Terms. 6) http://bonap.net/TDC/Image/Map?taxonType=Species&taxonId=1788&locationType=County&mapType=Normal, 7) https://www.itis.gov/servlet/SingleRpt/SingleRpt?search_topic=TSN&search_value=42504#null

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed Scarification Soak the seeds in water for 24 hours. This softens the outer shell and aids in germination. You can scarify the seeds by gently nicking the outer shell with a sharp object. This further promotes water absorption and germination. Choose a well-draining potting mix suitable for seedlings. Fill pots or trays with the mix and sow the seeds, spacing them a few inches apart. Cover the seeds lightly with soil and water thoroughly. Place the pots in a warm, sunny location. Sabal Mexicana seeds can take anywhere from 6 to 12 weeks to germinate. Maintain the seedlings in a consistently moist environment, avoiding overwatering. As the seedlings grow, repot them into larger containers as needed. Look for black, fully matured seeds on the palm. Green seeds are not yet viable. Gently remove the seeds from the palm by hand. It’s best to collect seeds from the ground as they naturally fall when ripe, ensuring they are ready for propagation. Remove any fruit flesh attached to the seeds. This can be done by soaking them in water for a few days to soften the pulp, then scrubbing them clean. 1) https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-sabal-mexicana/ 2) https://johndenson.com/2024/05/22/propagating-sabal-minor-from-seed-a-comprehensive-guide/
Offshoots Division Choose a suitable outdoor location with well-drained soil and partial shade. Dig a hole slightly larger than the offshoot’s root ball. Place the offshoot in the prepared hole and backfill with soil, ensuring the root ball is at or slightly above ground level. Water thoroughly and provide consistent moisture during the establishment period. Select a mature Sabal Mexicana with established offshoots, or “suckers,” growing at its base. Ensure the offshoots are at least 1-2 feet tall with their own root systems. Use a sharp, sterilized shovel or knife to carefully sever the offshoot from the parent plant. Be sure to include a portion of the root system with the offshoot. 1) https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-sabal-mexicana/ 2) https://www.picturethisai.com/care/propagate/Sabal_mexicana.html
Seed Stratification For better germination results, especially in cooler climates, stratify the seeds by placing them in a moist medium like sand or peat moss and refrigerating them for 30 to 60 days. Choose a well-draining potting mix suitable for seedlings. Fill pots or trays with the mix and sow the seeds, spacing them a few inches apart. Cover the seeds lightly with soil and water thoroughly. Place the pots in a warm, sunny location. Sabal Mexicana seeds can take anywhere from 6 to 12 weeks to germinate. Maintain the seedlings in a consistently moist environment, avoiding overwatering. As the seedlings grow, repot them into larger containers as needed. 1) https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-sabal-mexicana/ 2) https://johndenson.com/2024/05/22/propagating-sabal-minor-from-seed-a-comprehensive-guide/

About the Region

2026 Fall Symposium Logo

This low-elevations region of Texas extends inland from the barrier islands, about 60 or so miles, and stretches from Brownsville to Louisiana. In total, it covers about 9.5 million acres, with a high point of 150 feet in elevation. More than 1000 species of plants can be found in this region. On the southern end, species more common in Mexico (such as Sabal mexicana) and Central America occur.

The barrier islands provide us with dune systems, and clay flats to the inland side, which have species found in these areas alone. Many plants here, such as Ipomoea pes-caprae (beach morning glory), can be found throughout tropical regions of the globe. I’ve encountered the same species on the beaches of Guam.

Once inland, vast marshes and wet prairies occur. Occasionally, oak (Quercus fusiformis) groves can be found. Common grasses include species of Bothriochloa, Paspalum, and Sporobolus; eastern gamagrass (Tripsacum dactyloides); and switchgrass (Panicum species). Many rivers and creeks cut through the Gulf Prairies, and along these riparian areas various species of trees, Sabal minor, and other plants adapted to clay soils can be found. Due to overgrazing, farming, and fire suppression, woody species such as mesquite (Prosopis glandulosa) and huisache (Acacia farnesiana), and invasive species such as chinaberry (Melia azedarach), Brazilian pepper (Schinus terebinthifolius), and Chinese tallow (Sapium sebiferum) have increased and displaced our native flora.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason