Satin Leaf Trees, Delivered and Planted in SW Florida
A slow-growing Florida native, satin leaf makes a handsome medium shade or specimen tree in Southwest Florida. Its glossy green leaves have coppery, satin undersides that flash in the breeze, and small purple fruit feed birds. Our crew plants 25 and 45 gallon trees at the right depth, waters them in, and cleans up.
- Light:
- Full sun to part shade
- Water:
- Moderate while establishing; drought tolerant once rooted
- Salt:
- Low to moderate; handles salty breezes but not direct salt spray or brackish flooding
Satin Leaf sizes we deliver and plant
Every size below is planted by our crew, set at the right depth and watered in. Send the size and how many, and we text back a planted price, usually within the hour during the day.
| Plant | Sizes |
|---|---|
| Satin Leaf | 25 Gallon, 45 Gallon |
Satin Leaf in SW Florida, at a glance
- Mature size here
- 20 to 35 ft tall, 15 to 25 ft wide
- Light
- Full sun to part shade
- Water
- Moderate while establishing; drought tolerant once rooted
- Salt tolerance
- Low to moderate; handles salty breezes but not direct salt spray or brackish flooding
- Cold tolerance
- Tender when young: frost can top-kill small trees, which usually resprout from the roots; coastal Lee and Collier rarely see damage
- Growth rate
- Slow
- Spacing
- 20 ft or more from the house and other trees
- Florida native
- Yes, South Florida native
- Botanical name
- Chrysophyllum oliviforme
Where Satin Leaf works in a SW Florida yard
Satin leaf is a tree for people who value leaf color and a tidy shape over speed. The dark, glossy leaves show coppery undersides when wind moves them, and the oval crown stays dense. Florida native plant guides note good hurricane wind resistance.
Use one as a front-yard specimen or to shade a patio, with coontie, wild coffee and firebush underneath for an all-native planting that feeds birds and butterflies.
- Medium shade tree
- Native specimen tree
- Bird and wildlife planting
- Sheltered coastal-area yards
How our crew plants it
Make room for a 20 ft crown. Set the root flare at ground level in a hole twice as wide as the container, and backfill with native sand. Stake the 45 gallon trees loosely for the first year, mulch off the trunk, and water in.
Water daily at first, then taper; the extra watering is allowed for new plantings in Lee and Collier.
Care after planting
- Water regularly through the first full year, including the dry season, because young satin leaf sulks when it dries out.
- A slow-release tree fertilizer in spring and again in fall is plenty; skip it in summer, since Lee County, Naples and Marco Island ban nitrogen and phosphorus from June 1 to September 30.
- Prune only to remove dead or crossing branches; the natural oval shape needs little help.
- Mulch 3 inches deep, off the trunk, and keep turf away from the root zone.
What to watch for
- Small trees can be top-killed by frost inland and usually resprout from the base, so cover them on frost nights.
Satin Leaf questions we hear
How fast does a satin leaf tree grow?+
Slowly. Satin leaf is a slow-growing tree, which is why a larger 25 or 45 gallon tree gives you shade and structure years sooner. Plan on 20 to 35 ft over many years. It can be slow to settle after planting, so steady watering through the first year matters most.
Is satin leaf a Florida native, and is it salt tolerant?+
Yes, it is a South Florida native, found in coastal hammocks. Salt tolerance is limited: it handles salty breezes but not direct salt spray or brackish flooding, so plant it back from the seawall or open water. It suits inland and sheltered canal-lot yards.
Is the fruit on a satin leaf tree edible?+
Yes, the small purple-black fruits that ripen mostly in spring are edible, though birds and other wildlife usually get them first. The evergreen leaves drop gradually through the year. Keep the tree back from cars and light paving if you want to avoid fruit drop.
Updated October 2026
Get a planted price on Satin Leaf
Tell us what and how many. Quinten prices it from the nursery's live list and texts you back, usually within the hour during the day.
Only need the plant delivered, no planting? It is on our nursery's list at Palm & Plant Co.
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See it in 3D first
We deliver and plant across Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Naples, Estero, Bonita Springs and about an hour around.