Blue Saw Palmetto
Serenoa repens (blue form)
Pickup currently unavailable at Aiken Nursery
A silver-blue jewel among native palms, this is the rare glaucous form of saw palmetto, the low fan palm that carpets the pine flatwoods and coastal plains of the Deep South. Most saw palmettos wear green leaves, but this selection, native chiefly to the east coast of Florida, holds fans of striking silvery blue, a metallic glaucous bloom that lifts the plant from a workhorse native to an ornamental of real presence.
Like the green form, the blue saw palmetto usually builds low, spreading clumps on creeping, often horizontal trunks, though in time a crown can rise upright to ten feet or more. Stiff, rounded leaves radiate in a symmetrical fan, each stalk edged with the fine saw teeth that gave saw palmetto a name, and in late spring branched panicles of small, creamy-white, fragrant flowers draw clouds of bees before blue-black drupes ripen behind them. The glaucous blue holds year round and glows against the greens of neighboring natives.
Saw palmetto is one of the toughest and longest-lived plants of the Southeast, and individual clones may persist for centuries. Drought-tolerant, salt-tolerant, and fire-adapted, the blue form thrives on sandy, sharply drained ground from coastal gardens to inland restorations. The blue-black berries carry a long medicinal history, eaten and used by the Seminole and later adopted into herbal practice for prostate and urinary complaints, though large modern reviews find little benefit beyond placebo. The fruit also feeds bears, birds, and countless insects, making the palm a keystone of the wild communities.
In the garden, grow the blue saw palmetto where the silver-blue foliage can carry: a xeriscape, a native or wildlife planting, a coastal bed, or a bold groundcover on hot, sandy ground. Pair with pines, wiregrass, and green-leaved natives that set off the metallic color, give full sun to light shade and sharp drainage, and expect slow, steady, decades-long growth. Site the palm back from walkways, since the saw-toothed stalks can catch a passing leg.
- Hardiness
- USDA Zones 8–11
- Sun
- Full Sun, Part Shade
- Soil
- Well-drained, Sandy
- Mature size
- Height 5–10 Feet · Spread 6–8 Feet
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Seasonality
- Evergreen
Creamy-white, fragrant flowers in branched panicles, late spring to summer
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This information is shared for traditional and educational interest only and is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Please consult a qualified healthcare professional before any medicinal use.
- Large clinical reviews have found little or no benefit for prostate symptoms compared with placebo
- May cause mild digestive upset or headache
- May interact with anticoagulant and hormonal medications
- Not recommended during pregnancy or breastfeeding
From rooting to shipping, our top priority is ensuring you receive healthy, thriving plants for your garden’s success.
Because most of our plants are grown from rooted cuttings — alongside seed, air layering, and grafting chosen for each variety — you receive a stronger, true-to-type plant that establishes quickly in your garden.
Raised on organic soil blends and eco-friendly pest management — never harsh chemicals — your plant arrives healthy for your garden, your family, and the pollinators they feed.
Every purchase gives back. We donate to the Aiken Arboretum and support local wildlife conservation, so growing your garden helps protect the wider ecosystem too.
All our plant material is carefully propagated, grown, and nurtured at our humble nursery in Aiken, South Carolina.
Your plant arrives carefully packed and ready to settle in. Unpack them promptly, give them a day or two to acclimate, then plant following the notes we include — that’s all it takes. Clear care guidance comes with every order, so success is the easy part.
What to expect upon delivery
All our plants are sold in 1-gallon sizes, though the height of each plant can vary depending on its growth rate and seasonality, typically ranging from 1/2 to 2.5 feet.
Each plant is carefully packaged with its roots enclosed in a secure plastic bag containing moist soil, forming a compact root ball. To ensure safe transport, the box is padded with recycled newspaper, providing both stability and eco-friendly protection from weather during shipping.
What is your return policy?
Review our full return policy information on our SHIPPING AND RETURNS POLICY page.
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Can I make changes to my order after it’s been placed?
At Woodlanders, we strive to fulfill orders as quickly as possible. Therefore, we can only accommodate changes to your order within the first 24 hours after it has been placed. These changes include adding or removing products and modifying the delivery address. If you need to make any changes or if there has been a mistake with your order information, please reach out to us promptly via our CONTACT page with your order number for the quickest resolution.
Your satisfaction is our priority, and we appreciate your understanding and cooperation.