Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta) Description

2. The Sago Palm is- While various species of Cycads can be found throughout the world, the subtropical Sago Palm is native to the Far East and the cold hardy Sago Palm has been used as a choice container and landscape plant for centuries. The growth habit of Cycas revoluta displays an upright trunk with a diameter from 1″ to 12″ depending on age, topped with stiff feather-like leaves growing in a circular pattern. Rather than continuously adding foliage, a Sago Palm produces a periodic “flush” of new leaves, called a “break”. Eventually, offsets begin to grow at the base of the Sago plant, and occasionally in the crown. The addition of offsets provides a source of new plants and many possibilities for developing an unique specimen.
Most known cycad genus plant like the Sago palm are slow growing and have an unusual trunk. Sagos are one of the oldest cycads still living today. Sago can grow for a 100 years. They are also commonly refereed to as Cycas revoluta, King Sago Palm.

3. Sago Palm Care

Regardless of age or size, the Sago palms (Cycas revoluta) are one of the easiest plants to grow and care for, indoors or out, by beginner or expert plantscapers. Sago Palm plants adapt to a wide range of temperatures from 15 to 110 degrees F (-11 to 42 degrees C), Sagos accepts full sun or bright interior light, thrive with proper care and maintenance, and tolerates neglect. In addition, Cycads are extremely long-lived. A 220 year old specimen of Encephalartos, a relative of Cycas revoluta, is on display at the Royal Botanic Garden, Kew England; the restoration of the famous Palm House required it to be temporarily transplanted to a holding area for more than a year; the move was successful and is an example of the durability of Sago Palms which are considered ancient “living fossils”.

4. Sago Palm Leaves

On Sago Palm, new leaves emerge all at once in a circular pattern, and are very tender until they begin to harden several weeks later. Do not disturb or repot the Sago Palm during this process and allow the plant to receive good overhead light; low light will produce long leaves, while bright light will produce shorter leaves on the Sago. If light is coming from a window, give the Sago Palm a 1/4 turn each day until the new leaves harden, otherwise they may lean toward the light source. Do not allow the Cycas revoluta to become excessively dry when new leaves are developing, otherwise new foliage may wither and die or become yellow and stunted.  If you do not place an indoor sago plant in enough light when it gets new leaves, they will stretch toward what little light there is.

5. Sago Palms Environment

For Sago Palm temperature range is from 15 to 110 degrees F (-11 to 42 C). Temperatures in the high teens may frost-damage Sago Palm leaves which may turn yellow or brown.  Remove these to reduce stress on the plant and encourage new leaves in the spring.  If temperatures fall below 15, the Sago Palm may die, however, as long as the trunk and leaf crown is hard wood, it should recover. If the trunk turns soft, your sago may be damaged beyond recovery.

6. Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta) Specific

A.   Humidity range is from dry to wet for Sagos good for your interiorlandscapes, Woburn, MA.
B.   Light: Sago Palms grow in full sun, but adapt to outdoor shade or an indoor area which receives bright light or a few hours of morning or afternoon sun. 
C.  The Sago Palm growth rate is extremely slow. For example, in South Texas the fastest rate observed in commercial production (which has excellent growing conditions of hot summers and mild winters) under 30% shade is three new sets of leaves and an increase of 1″ (3 cm) of height and trunk diameter per year. When grown as potted indoor specimens, Cycads may add only one set of new leaves every year or two and remain somewhat the same size (one reason they are excellent for bonsai).
D.  Sago Palm Longevity: Cycas revoluta are extremely long lived and old specimens can grow in curious ways. Many Sago have multi-trunks and multiple branches.
E.   Sago Palm Soil should be well drained and rich in humus, although these durable plants seem to grow in almost anything. In the landscape or garden, be sure to plant Sagos slightly above the soil line and not in a hole or depression which retains water or is “swampy”. Sago Palm much prefer to be on the dry than the wet side.
F.   Sago Palm Water and fertilizer needs are related to the amount of light available. Unlike most plants which can wilt when dry or turn yellow from lack of fertilizer, Cycads give little indication of when to water or feed. Generally, they should be treated as a cactus and watered when almost dry.
G.  Watering: If grown in a container, take care to allow the soil to become almost dry, then water the Sago Palm thoroughly slowly adding water around the top of the soil.   If the Sago Palm is receiving morning or afternoon sun or temperatures are warm, the Sago plant may need to be watered at least weekly. Sagos grown in low light or cool temperatures may need water every few weeks or so.  If the cold hardy Sago Palm is planted in the landscape, water when dry, but do not keep continuously wet. Established Sagos can easily survive drought conditions.