Do you live in the desert, but love the feel of the tropics? Do you like to grow plants that are out of the ordinary? Then consider sago palm, a stunning specimen plant. Here’s everything you need to know about growing this exotic palm-like succulent.
Sago palm (Cycas revoluta) is a plant for those who like something a little different in their yard. It’s not a palm, but it looks like one and requires similar care. (Technically, it’s a gymnosperm and so has cones rather than flowers.)
Sago palm and other plants in the genus Cycas are called cycads. Cycads are palm-like plants that have a Jurassic Park vibe about them. Amazingly, the oldest cycad fossils are 300 million years old. These plants literally grew when dinosaurs roamed the earth! 🦖
Sago palm grows in a beautifully symmetric rosette. It has stiff, feather-shaped, deep green fronds that can be several feet long. Each frond consists of a multitude of thin leaflets tipped with sharp spikes.
It’s native to parts of China and Japan but, oddly, has naturalized in Alabama.
Why I Like This Plant
- Lush exotic plant looks beautiful all year
- Thrives in hot shade
- Fabulous container plant
- Low maintenance and litter-free
- Is a botanical curiosity
Things to Watch Out For
All parts of sago palm are toxic, especially the seeds. According to the ASPCA, it is extremely toxic to pets, with 50% of ingestion cases being fatal.
Each frond consists of a multitude of thin leaflets tipped with sharp spikes. When pruning the fronds or otherwise working around this plant, protective gear is advised.
It’s dioecious, meaning it has separate male and female plants. These plants have weird-looking cones that emerge at the crown, and some people are not prepared for what they see. Understandably, they wonder if there’s something wrong with their plant when it goes into its reproductive cycle!
Fun Fact!
Cycads are not trees and are most closely related to grasses.
Optimal Growing Conditions
If you’re thinking of adding a sago palm to your garden, you need to find a suitable place that will keep your plant healthy and looking good… while minimizing maintenance for you.
Here are the key factors to keep in mind.
Temperature
Sago palm should be grown in USDA Hardiness Zones 8 – 11. It tolerates desert heat up to about 110℉, provided it doesn’t get too much sun. It can survive temperatures down to 15℉.
Sun Exposure
Sago palms do best in full or part shade. Too much sun scalds the fronds, turning them yellow or brown.
Size and Growth Rate
Sago palm is a very slow grower, so it rarely outgrows its space. Your plant could ultimately reach a size of 3-5 feet wide and 5-10 feet tall, but this could take many years, depending on the size plant you started with.
Unlike most plants that grow throughout their growing season, sago palm usually grows in one burst per year when it produces a set of new fronds.
Soil
Sago palm prefers rich soil, slightly acidic, well-draining soil. Since desert soil is poor and alkaline, it’s not ideal. You can try adding amendments to the soil or, if your soil is too unsuitable, grow one in a container.
Pests & Diseases
Sago palms have no serious pests in the desert. But in wetter states, including parts of Florida, Alabama, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, South Carolina, Texas, and California, cycad aulacaspis scale (Aulacaspis yasumatsui) is a serious problem that can kill a plant.
Sago Palm:
The Essentials
| Common Name | Sago palm |
| Scientific Name | Cycas revoluta |
| Origin | Japan, China |
| Plant Type | Evergreen cycad |
| USDA Zones | Zones 8 – 11 |
| Cold Hardiness | To 15℉ |
| Mature Size | 5-10’ high x 3-6’ wide |
| Growth Rate | Very slow |
| Sun Tolerance | Part shade, full shade |
| Water Needs | Moderate |
| Pests & Diseases | None in the desert |
| Cautions | All parts toxic |
How to Plant
The rule of thumb when planting any palm (or palm-like plant like sago!) in the desert is to dig a hole two feet wider on each side than the root ball but no deeper.
Since sago palm doesn’t like our poor, alkaline soil, consider amending it with compost or soil mix at the time of planting, and/or top dress with mulch or compost after planting.
When to Plant
The best time to plant sago palm is late spring to early summer when warm soil temperatures encourage root development.
How to Care for Sago Palm
Whether you’ve recently planted a new sago palm or have an existing one in your yard, here’s how to take care of it to keep it healthy and looking its best.
How to Water
Once you’ve got your sago palm planted, water it thoroughly, and then water daily for the next 2 weeks. Then water every 2 to 3 days for the following 2 weeks and gradually reduce the watering to get on this watering schedule.
| Spring & Fall | Every 10 – 14 days |
| Summer | Every 5 – 10 days |
| Winter | Every 14 – 21 days |
Keep in mind that this is a moderate rather than low water use plant. It can survive dry conditions but grows best when the soil stays somewhat moist.
Should You Fertilize?
Sago palm benefits from an annual application of fertilizer in late spring. Nitrogen is its most common deficiency in the southwest. Lack of nitrogen results in pale green or yellow fronds.
Look for a slow release fertilizer that contains about 3 times as much nitrogen as potassium and phosphorus. Proper fertilization can promote somewhat faster growth.
How to Prune & Propagate
Sago palm needs very little pruning. The only time it should be pruned is to remove dead or damaged fronds. This can be done any time of year. Fronds should be cut as close to the trunk as possible.
Your plant will be healthier if you refrain from removing any green leaves, since they provide the plant’s energy. You can remove the cones when they appear, but you might enjoy watching them grow.
Plants tend to sucker at the base. You may want to remove these offsets to keep your plant’s highly symmetric form.
For Plant Lovers
Sago palm (Cycas revoluta) also goes by the common name king sago palm. The genus Cycas is derived from the Greek word for palm tree.
While all parts of the plant are considered highly toxic, the pith contains a starch that can be made edible by carefully washing it to leach out toxins. Do not try this at home!
Have you grown this plant?
Was it a “hit” or a “miss” in your garden?
Please share your experience in the comments below!
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Author Bio
Deane Alban is the creator of Southwest Gardener. She is a science writer with a bachelor’s degree in botany from the University of South Florida. Gardening is her lifelong passion. She’s been gardening in Tucson for 15 years.
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