Sabal Louisiana

[JayW]

I have one I am wanting to plant soon and need to know if it will do ok in full sun? I know the Sabal Minors are supposed to like the shade, but I've seen pics of the Louisiana variety in full sun and thriving. Any info is appreciated.

[DoomsDave]

I'm not aware of any special Louisiana variety.

I do know that I have an S. minor in full sun, and it's happy as the proverbial clam.

[freakypalmguy]

I'm not aware of any special Louisiana variety.

I do know that I have an S. minor in full sun, and it's happy as the proverbial clam.

Like Dave said, I think most Sabals do great in full sun. All of mine are completely unfazed by my scorching desert sun.

Found a little info on Sabal louisiana.

"This is how Sabal louisiana looks in its native habitate. They often grow in shade and never develop much of a trunk. Unlike other trunking sabals that have a very pleasing to view trunk, louisiana has a very ugly ragged trunk. Flood waters can be the demise for trunked Sabal louisiana".

Here are a couple shots from the web

from the web, "Cultivated Sabal louisiana in full sun look great like

these at Avery Island, Louisiana".

[freakypalmguy]

Found some more info with a better pic that has a shot of the infructescence. Maybe one of the expert will chime in.

"Sabal louisiana is an extremely cold-hardy, somewhat arborescent (trunk-forming) palm native from East Texas to the Florida Panhandle. While the taxonomy of this palm is often disputed among botanists there is no dispute among horticulturists that Sabal louisiana is one of the world's most cold-hardy trunking palms. Sabal louisiana grows faster and larger than Sabal minor, yet is nearly as cold-hardy. We have been growing Sabal louisiana outdoors since 1990 in Oklahoma City and many plants have quickly grown into highly noticeable large landscape specimens. The Sabal louisiana pictured above (in 2000) has grown quickly in Oklahoma City since being planted from a 5 gallon container in 1992. This Sabal louisana specimen did not damage during the -3*F record low that occured on 2-4-1996. There are several large specimens planted at the Oklahoma City Zoo. "

[sonoranfans]

I have one I am wanting to plant soon and need to know if it will do ok in full sun? I know the Sabal Minors are supposed to like the shade, but I've seen pics of the Louisiana variety in full sun and thriving. Any info is appreciated.

I have one in the ground, I recommend only part day sun, preferably not late day. THe lousiana variety is a little bigger, and has a little blue in it, some call it bluebush palmetto.

[Kathryn]

Some people think there are different species or varieties of Sabal minor while others disagree. I have seen numerous Sabal minor plants throughout Louisiana that have developed a trunk, but there are many times more plants that don't develop a trunk. I don't think there is a Sabal louisiana or a Sabal minor var louisiana. Some of the variation depends on growing conditions and age. Areas that get flood regularly have older plants that have developed a trunk.

Anyway, they can take full shade or full sun. They do like water but are drought tolerant once established.

I have some pictures that I will post when I have more time.

[Matt N- Dallas]

sabal louisiana will grow in sun, shade or anything in between. I have them growing in full sun and they are fine. The ones I water on a regular basis are nearly twice the size of ones that do not receive any extra water. They definitely are variable in growth.