Bismarck Palm

Bismarckia nobilis

Silvery-Blue Foliage
Single Large Specimen
Slow Growing

Pet & Human Safety

People: Not researchedPets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them

Hazardous parts

Not yet checked.

Preparation

Not applicable. Not a food plant

Hazard type

The NC State page lists no poison information. That is not a statement that the plant is safe.

Hazard route

Not yet checked.

How complete this information is

We have not researched the safety of this plant yet.

Toxic to pets

No ASPCA entry found.

Genuinely unassessed by ASPCA, not cleared. For context: most true palms ASPCA has evaluated (including Queen Palm, Cat Palm, and King Palm) are rated non-toxic, but that pattern isn't extended here as an inferred safe verdict for an unassessed species. Fishtail Palm (Caryota mitis) is a confirmed-toxic counter-example, so 'true palm' is not a reliable safety shortcut on its own.

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

Get the app: coming soon

Care

Hardiness zones: UF/IFAS ST101 says it is hardy to about 30 F (USDA zone 10A) and often survives in protected sites in zone 9B (25 F). The NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox gives different figures, saying the silver-gray form tolerates about 27 F while the green form is damaged at 32 F, and that plants recover from cold damage. The two sources differ, so treat the cold limits as approximate and check local conditions.
Mature size: UF/IFAS ST101 gives 30 to 60 feet tall, a 12 to 16 foot spread and a trunk 15 to 18 inches across. NC State gives 10 to 40 feet in cultivation (up to about 82 feet in its native habitat) and a trunk 12 to 16 inches across. The sources differ, so expect variation with climate and age.
Family: Arecaceae (true palm family)
Where it comes from: Native to Madagascar (UF/IFAS ST101). The NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox gives northern and western Madagascar, in open grassland.

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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