Livistonia australis – Cabbage Tree Palm
A tall and handsome palm with glossy fan shaped leaves and large cream flowers in autumn and winter. It can grow to 20 metres tall, but can be used as a pot plant while small. The early colonists wove hats from the leaves and the aboriginals used them to make bags, baskets and fishing nets. It is frost tender. Be aware that the leaf shafts have sharp spines which make clean up time rather painful unless you are wearing thick gloves.
| Family: | Arecaceae |
| Scientific Name: | Livistonia australis |
| Common Name: | Cabbage Tree Palm |
| Plant Type: | Small tree, Large tree |
| Height: | 10 ~ 20 metres |
| Width: | 5 ~ 6 metres |
| Flower Colour: | Cream |
| Flowering Time: | Autumn, Winter |
| Ph Level: | Acid, Neutral |
| Soil Type: | Sandy, Loamy, Sandy loam, Clay loam, Poor soil |
| Plant Environment: | Low maintenance garden |
| Climate Zone: | Sub-tropical, Warm temperate, Mediterranean |
| Light: | Sunny, Light shade, Half shade, Heavy shade |
| Growth Habit: | Evergreen, Column-shaped |
| Lifespan: | Perennial |
| Soil Moisture: | Dry, Well-drained, Moist moderate drainage |
| Propagation Method: | Seed |
| Frost Tolerance: | Not frost tolerant |
| Plant Usage: | Feature plant |
WHERE TO GET YOUR PLANT
Once you have found the plant that you want, the next step is to find where to get it. Visit or ring your favourite nursery to see if they have it in stock. If they don’t, they may be able to order it in for you. Specialist nurseries are also able to give great advice, and if they don’t have the plant you want, they can often suggest an alternative to you. Below is a list of our favourite specialist nurseries, and some who do mail order. Click on the links for their details-
The Wildflower Place Erina – NSW
Sydney Wildflower Nursery – NSW
Newcastle Wildflower Nursery – NSW
Geelong Native Plants – Victoria
Wimmera Native Nursery – Victoria
Manuka Native Nursery – South Australia
Sydney Wildflower Nursery – mail order
Angus recommends Bush Tucker fertiliser for native plants.