It is native to south Florida, southeast Mexico, Colombia and to the West Indies, where it is found in the Bahamas, the southwest Caribbean and the Turks and Caicos Islands.

[5] Measurements in Fairchild Tropical Garden showed an average growth rate of 12 centimetres (4.7 in) per year.

[3][9] Its natural habitat is rocky, calcareous soil, including coastal scrubland and hammock communities.

[7] Populations on the Atlantic Coastal Ridge in Southern Florida are now recognized as Coccothrinax argentata garberi.

The endangered Key deer (Odocoileus virginianus clavium) are known to feed on the fruits of the silver palm.