Saw Palmetto
Serenoa repens
📖 About this plant
Saw Palmetto is a fan-leaved palm whose berries have been used for centuries in Native American medicine and are now widely recognized for supporting prostate health. Its dark berries contain fatty acids and phytosterols that help reduce urinary symptoms.
🧑🌾 Care requirements
Full sun to partial shade (4-8 hrs)
Every 1-2 weeks
Moderate (40-60%)
10-38°C
Sandy, well-drained soil; tolerates acidic and poor soils; pH 5.0-7.5
Light application of balanced palm fertilizer in spring and summer; generally low feeder
🌐 Common Names
📋 Plant facts
- 🌍 Origin
- Southeastern United States, especially Florida
- 📏 Max height
- 60-240 cm
- 📐 Spread
- 60-120 cm
- 🕰️ Bloom time
- Spring - Summer
- 🎨 Bloom color
- White
- 🍃 Foliage color
- Green, Silver
- ⏳ Lifespan
- Perennial
- 📈 Growth rate
- Slow
- ☠️ Toxicity
- Non-toxic; may cause mild stomach upset in some individuals; rare allergic reactions
- 🌱 Propagation
- Seed germination (slow, takes 2-6 months); division of suckering clumps
🛡️ Health & Safety
Non-toxic; may cause mild stomach upset in some individuals; rare allergic reactions
Common issues
- Palmetto weevil
- Scale insects
- Bud rot
- Root rot from poor drainage
💡 Care tips
- Berries are used to support prostate health naturally
- Dwarf palm native to the southeastern United States
- Extremely drought-tolerant and pest-resistant
- Very slow-growing but can live for hundreds of years
