Australian Cabbage Palm Plant Care
Livistona australis Mart.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Livistona australis, the cabbage-tree palm, is an Australian plant species in the family Arecaceae. It is a tall, slender palm growing up to about 25 m in height and 0.35 m diameter.
Every 7–14 days
Bright indirect light
65–85°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Australian Cabbage Palm?
Water Australian Cabbage Palm every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect light. It prefers temperatures of 65–85°F (18–29°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Australian Cabbage Palm?
Australian Cabbage Palm (Livistona australis) belongs to the Arecaceae family within the Livistona genus. Australian Cabbage Palm is also known as Cabbage Tree Palm, Fan Palm.
Australian Cabbage Palm displays a tall, single-trunk palm growth habit, reaching up to 10 ft tall with a spread of approximately 5 ft. Australian Cabbage Palm produces creamy white flowers in large clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 36 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Australian Cabbage Palm?
Livistona australis requires watering every 7–14 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Australian Cabbage Palm Need?
Australian Cabbage Palm thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Australian Cabbage Palm in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Australian Cabbage Palm Prefer?
Livistona australis grows best at temperatures of 65–85°F. Australian Cabbage Palm prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
65–85°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Australian Cabbage Palm?
Well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter like peat moss or compost. Good drainage is essential for Australian Cabbage Palm to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Australian Cabbage Palm?
Feed Australian Cabbage Palm every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Australian Cabbage Palm?
Repot every 2-3 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Australian Cabbage Palm?
Australian Cabbage Palm can be propagated through seeds, division of offsets. Similar propagation techniques also apply to chinese fan palm plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Australian Cabbage Palm Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Australian Cabbage Palm, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Australian Cabbage Palm?
Australian Cabbage Palm is susceptible to spider mites, mealybugs, scale insects. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Australian Cabbage Palm Need?
Australian Cabbage Palm grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. In cooler regions, grow Australian Cabbage Palm as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
Australian Cabbage Palm is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Livistona genus — compare its care with other Livistona species on PlantoScan.
Livistona is part of the Arecaceae plant family — browse all Arecaceae genera and species.
Australian Cabbage Palm thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Livistona Species
Other Livistona species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Livistona australis Mart., family Arecaceae (first published in Hist. Nat. Palm. 3: 242 (1838)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Australian Cabbage Palm, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13b, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
Identify Plants Like the
Australian Cabbage Palm Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species