How to Care for a Saw Palmetto "Serenoa Repens" Plant
- 1). Find the right home for the plant. According to the Smithsonian Marine Station at Fort Pierce, saw palmetto plants require dry and well-drained soil. Additionally, the saw palmetto will spread into a shrub if given enough space. Make sure to leave enough room for years of growth by spacing these plants 36 to 60 inches apart. This plant needs some sun as well. Choose a location that will receive partial to full sunlight.
- 2). Transplant saw palmetto while the plant is young. The University of Florida Extension explains that the mature saw palmetto is difficult to transplant. Place the young plant in a hole that is approximately 6 inches deep and 6 inches wide.
- 3). Water the newly established plant as the roots establish themselves. Keep the soil damp as the new plant's root system develops.
- 4). Address any growth issues with your saw palmetto promptly. If the plant is yellow at the tips or not showing signs of growth, a fertilizer made for palm plants may be used. Follow the directions on the packaging for the fertilizer you have chosen.
- 5). Prepare your saw palmetto for winter by reducing its watering schedyle. The only cold weather issues that saw palmetto may face is over-watering. Do not water this plant during its dormant period.
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