Mountain Cabbage Tree Plant Care
Prestoea acuminata var. montana (Graham) A.J.Hend. & Galeano
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Prestoea acuminata var. montana is a perennial palm in the family Arecaceae.
Every 7–14 days
Bright indirect light
65–85°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Mountain Cabbage Tree?
Water Mountain Cabbage Tree 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 Mountain Cabbage Tree?
Mountain Cabbage Tree (Prestoea acuminata var. montana) belongs to the Arecaceae family within the Prestoea genus. Mountain Cabbage Tree is also known as Cabbage Palm, Mountain Palm.
Mountain Cabbage Tree displays a tall, elegant palm growth habit, reaching up to 10 ft tall with a spread of approximately 5 ft. Mountain Cabbage Tree produces creamy white flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 36 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Mountain Cabbage Tree?
Prestoea acuminata var. montana 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 Mountain Cabbage Tree Need?
Mountain Cabbage Tree thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Mountain Cabbage Tree in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Mountain Cabbage Tree Prefer?
Prestoea acuminata var. montana grows best at temperatures of 65–85°F. Mountain Cabbage Tree 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 Mountain Cabbage Tree?
Well-draining, rich loamy soil with added sand and perlite for drainage. Good drainage is essential for Mountain Cabbage Tree to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Mountain Cabbage Tree?
Feed Mountain Cabbage Tree 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 Mountain Cabbage Tree?
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 Mountain Cabbage Tree?
Mountain Cabbage Tree can be propagated through seeds, division of offsets. Similar propagation techniques also apply to mountain cabbage tree plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Mountain Cabbage Tree Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Mountain Cabbage Tree, 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 Mountain Cabbage Tree?
Mountain Cabbage Tree 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 Mountain Cabbage Tree Need?
Mountain Cabbage Tree grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. In cooler regions, grow Mountain Cabbage Tree as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
Mountain Cabbage Tree 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 Prestoea genus — compare its care with other Prestoea species on PlantoScan.
Prestoea is part of the Arecaceae plant family — browse all Arecaceae genera and species.
Mountain Cabbage Tree thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Prestoea acuminata var. montana (Graham) A.J.Hend. & Galeano, family Arecaceae (first published in Fl. Neotrop. Monogr. 72: 53 (1996)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Mountain Cabbage Tree, 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.
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