Light. Prefers full sun but grows in almost any light.
Water. Water regularly at first. Once established it is very drought tolerant and needs no extra water.
Soil and feeding. It grows in sandy or limestone soils and does well in poor soil. Plant from containers; established plants are hard to move.
Size. Grows to about 6 ft and usually wider than tall. Growth is slow.
Pruning. Remove dead fronds and old flower and fruit stalks. Wear gloves; the leaf stems have sharp teeth.
Problems to watch. Palmetto weevil and a few moths can attack. Anthracnose causes early fruit drop.
Good to know. A Florida native that tolerates salt wind. Silver forms grow naturally along Florida's southeast coast. Bees make honey from the flowers. Keep it away from walkways and play areas.
Sources: UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: Saw Palmetto · UF/IFAS EDIS FPS-547/FP547: Serenoa repens: Saw Palmetto · Natives for Your Neighborhood (Institute for Regional Conservation): Serenoa repens
