Can you grow sabals indoors?

[mrjc]

Just wondering if it’s possible I have some sabals and kinda just waiting till climate change make my zone a little warmer so I can plant them in the ground because they grow so slow does it matter?

[Harry’s Palms]

I don’t think Sabal are good indoor candidates. The humidity indoors is low during winter months when most of us heat our homes . If you moved the palms outside during warm surges in temp , I guess they would survive . Depending on size , sun light is another issue . My Sabal grew well in direct sun even when it was very small , which tells me they are sun lovers. Most “indoor palms” are shade lovers. Harry

[NC_Palms]

I've done it short term and even germinated seeds indoors, but I do not recommend growing Sabal indoors in the longterm. You probably will have more luck planting them in the ground and protecting them. Or getting a greenhouse for them. 

[ChrisA]

I agree with Chiara, I'd get some going next spring and plant them in the ground. They're slow enough growing that they'll be easy to protect for the harshest cold spells. And if the climate continues to warm and pushes you up a half a zone or even a full zone in 20 years, you'll already have your palms to size!

I think you could plant Sabal minor,  Sabal brazoria, and Sabal palmetto "Birmingham"  (possibly some of the other hardier palmetto varieties available) and would only be required to protect them the first few winters until they get established. After the establishment period you could likely leave them uncovered for most winters. I'd protect below 5F or so at that point.

My Birmingham sabal in Albuquerque has only been protected with x-mas lights at most (planted in 2016 I believe) and has seen near zero temps with no effect on it whatsoever. It's a painfully slow growing palm in my experience but is worth it.  

If you're willing to protect longer term until things get larger and established I would also recommend Sabal mexicana and Sabal palmetto.

[Allen]

You should be able to grow Sabal minors and maybe some hybrids and Needle palms outdoors.  If you look at my Youtube you can see what is possible with some protection as you are in 7b like me and somewhat similar.