Sago Palms - Cold Hardy

Sago Palms (Cycas revoluta), one of the most primitive living seed plants, are very unusual and popular ornamentals. A rugged trunk, topped with whorled feathery leaves has lead to the common name "Sago Palm", however it is actually related to conifer and Ginko trees - all cone bearing plants which trace their origins back to the ancient flora of the early Mesozoic era. Often called "living fossils", Cycads have changed very little in the last 200 million years.

Sago Palm Description

Sago Palm - 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 Sagos, and occasionally in the crown. The addition of offsets provides a source of new plants and many possibilities for developing an unique specimen.

Sago Palm Care

Regardless of age or size, the Sago palms (Cycas revoluta) are one of the easiest plants to grow, indoors or out, by beginner or expert. This subtropical adapts to a wide range of temperatures from 15 to 110 degrees F (-11 to 42 degrees C), accepts full sun or bright interior light, thrives with attention, 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 these ancient "living fossils".

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. If light is coming from a window, give the plant a 1/4 turn each day until the new leaves harden, otherwise they may lean toward the light source. Do not allow the plant 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 in enough light when it gets new leaves, they will stretch toward what little light there is.

Sago Palm 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. Our field of sago palms survived 11 degrees, a century low in South Texas, however large live oak trees planted throughout the "sago patch" provided some protection. We removed all the damaged leaves and the sagos grew new ones the following spring.

Sago Palm Specifics

Humidity range is from dry to wet.

Light: Sago Palm 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.

Sago Palm Rate of growth is extremely slow. The fastest rate observed in South Texas 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).

Sago Palm Longevity: Cycas revoluta are extremely long lived and old specimens can grow in curious ways. The multi-trunk and multiple branched specimen shown below was planted at the Huntington Gardens in San Marino, California over 80 years ago and is 15' (5 m) tall with a clump diameter of 12' (4 m).

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". Sagos much prefer to be on the dry than the wet side.

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.

Watering: If grown in a container, 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, Sago Palm may need to be watered at least weekly. Plants grown in low light or cool temperatures may need water every few weeks or so. We generally water a plant twice. The first time wets the soil, the second watering a few minutes later soaks the soil. If the cold hardy Sago Palm is planted in the landscape, water when dry, but do not keep continuously wet. Established Sago Palm can easily survive drought conditions.