Cabbage-tree palm Livistona australis
Cabbage-tree palm (Livistona australis) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Arecaceae family, native to Coastal eastern Australia, from Queensland to East Gippsland in Victoria (the world’s most southerly natural palm). It grows 15–25 m (49–82 ft) tall and 4–6 m (13–20 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -5 °C (23 °F). Space plants about 4 m (13 ft) apart.
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Cabbage-tree palm at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Arecaceae |
| Mature height | 15–25 m (49–82 ft) |
| Mature spread | 4–6 m (13–20 ft) |
| Spacing | 4 m (13 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance moderate |
| Soil pH | 5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -5 °C (23 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | about 521–782 weeks after planting, for 4–9 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Coastal eastern Australia, from Queensland to East Gippsland in Victoria (the world’s most southerly natural palm) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇳🇿 New Zealand |
Is Cabbage-tree palm toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not known to be poisonous; the leaf stalks are armed with sharp teeth.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Cabbage-tree palm
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
Questions about Cabbage-tree palm
- How far apart should I plant Cabbage-tree palm?
- About 4 m (13 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 4–6 m (13–20 ft).
- Does Cabbage-tree palm need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Cabbage-tree palm need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance moderate.
- How cold-hardy is Cabbage-tree palm?
- It tolerates about -5 °C (23 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Cabbage-tree palm flower?
- About 521–782 weeks after planting, for 4–9 weeks.
- Is Cabbage-tree palm poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not known to be poisonous; the leaf stalks are armed with sharp teeth.
- What grows well with Cabbage-tree palm?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Cabbage-tree palm. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- PlantNET: the NSW Flora Online, National Herbarium of New South Wales, Botanic Gardens of Sydney
- Australian native plant profiles, Australian National Botanic Gardens / Australian Plants Society
Notes and assumptions
- A tall fan palm with round, glossy leaves on spiny stalks. Aboriginal people and early settlers ate the soft growing bud as “cabbage” (which kills the palm), wove the leaves, and settlers made hats of them.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Coconut palm Cocos nucifera
- Date palm Phoenix dactylifera
- Açaí palm Euterpe oleracea
- Mexican fan palm Washingtonia robusta
- African oil palm Elaeis guineensis
- Areca palm (golden cane palm) Dypsis lutescens
- Chilean wine palm Jubaea chilensis
- Joey palm Johannesteijsmannia altifrons