Cabbage Palm
Livistona australis
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Pl. 48BD — Livistona australis
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IOverview
Overview
Cabbage Palm, or Livistona australis, is an ornamental palm native to the eastern coast of Australia, specifically New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria. This palm thrives in full sun to partial shade and can tolerate both dry and moist conditions, making it adaptable to various soil types including light (sandy), medium, and heavy (clay). Known for its edible leaves, which are often used in culinary dishes, the Cabbage Palm can grow up to 20 meters tall. Its distinctive feature is a crown of large, fan-shaped leaves that give it a striking appearance, making it popular in gardens and landscapes.
Quick answers
What is Cabbage Palm?
Cabbage Palm, or Livistona australis, is an ornamental palm native to the eastern coast of Australia, specifically New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Cabbage Palm thrives in full to partial sun and prefers moist but well-draining soil that can be light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). It is hardy in zones 9-11, making it suitable for subtropical gardens. The plant requires regular watering but can tolerate drier conditions once established. For propagation, division of clumps or air-layering are effective methods. Harvest the edible leaves as needed, ensuring not to damage the growing point.
Light
Full sun, Partial sun/shade
Water
Dry, Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
9-11
Mature size
20.0 m tall
For first-time growers
How to grow Cabbage Palm for the first time
7steps
Start with a cabbage palm to add a tropical touch to your garden, suitable for beginners.
- 1
What you'll need
A young cabbage palm plant and well-draining soil.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring or early summer when the weather is mild.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Ensure the soil is well-draining, with a mix of light (sandy), medium, and heavy (clay) soils. For containers, use a pot at least 30 cm in diameter.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Transplant young plants directly into the garden or a large container. Avoid disturbing the roots during planting.
- 5
First two weeks
Water regularly to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, and place in partial shade to prevent sunburn.
- 6
Ongoing care
Provide full sun once established, water deeply every 1-2 weeks, especially during dry spells. Fertilize lightly twice a year with a balanced fertilizer.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune dead leaves and branches to maintain the plant's health and appearance.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:Leaves
Edible uses: The Cabbage Palm's leaves are edible and can be prepared in various ways. They are often used raw in salads or cooked as a vegetable. SKIP
Other uses:Weaving materialtextiles
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
3 native · 1 introduced
Distribution
3 native · 1 introducedDistribution across0 continents· 3 native· 1 introduced
Broader regions
native:Queensland, Victoria, New South Wales
introduced:Society Is.
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXI
Explore further
Companion planting
Growing zone
XII
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Back to the cataloguePlant id · 48bd2266-df86-4f5b-87f1-ec2ab31662b8
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