Cycas revoluta

Sago palm is a tropical and sub-tropical showy evergreen member of an ancient plant family known as cycads (Cycadaceae), dating back 200 million years ago. The plant is native to the Japanese Island of Kyusha, the Ryukyu Islands, ad southern China. They are found in thickets along hillsides. The genus name, Cycas, is derived from the Greek word, "kykas," thought to be a transcription error for the word "koikas," meaning Palm tree." The species name, revoluta, means "rolled back or curled back" and refers to the plant's leaves.

The Sago Palm is very slow-growing and may take up to 50 or more years to reach 10 feet tall. It is frequently cultivated as a houseplant. The leaves grow from the trunk. They are shiny, palm-like, and have spiny tips and the margins of the leaves roll downward. While it has a distinct palm-like appearance, it is not a true palm. They do not flower, but produce cones with exposed seeds (gymnosperm), much like pines and fir trees.

Sago palm requires very little maintenance and prefers bright, but indirect sun. Harsh sunlight can damage the foliage. If the plant is grown indoors, filtered sunlight for 4-6 hours per day is recommended. The soil should be moist and well-drained. They are intolerant to overwatering or poor drainage. They are drought tolerant when established. Sandy, loamy soils with a pH acid to neutral are recommended. They can tolerate brief periods of cold, but frost will damage the foliage. The Sago Plant will not survive if the temperature drops below 15 degrees Fahrenheit.

Suckers are produced at the base of the evergreen. The plant may be propagated by seeds or suckers. Pruning may be done to remove dead fronds. 

It will take years for the trunk of sago palm to grow from a 1-inch diameter to a 12-inch diameter. This evergreen can range in size from 3-10 feet and 3-10 feet wide. Indoor plants are smaller. Because of their slow growth, they are popular as bonsai plants. The leaves are deep green, stiff, arranged in a rosette, and are supported by a short stalk. The leaves may be 20-60 inches long. Each leaf is divided into many 3 to 6 inch needle-like leaflets.  There must be a male and female plant to produce seeds. The seeds are pollinated by insects or the wind. The male produces an erect golden pineapple-shaped cone. The female plant has a golden feathered flower head and forms a thickly packed seed head. The seeds are orange to red in color. Pollination occurs from April to June. The seeds mature from September to October. 

Sago palm is an easy houseplant to maintain. They are elegant grown in containers or urns for use on patios, sunrooms, or entrances to homes. They are beautiful evergreens for use in subtropical or tropical home landscapes as borders, accents, specimens, or in rock gardens.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Problems: Scale insects, mealybugs, and spider mites can occur. Cycad aulacaspis scale can cause serious damage.  Root rot can occur if the plant is overwatered or poorly drained.

More information on Cycas.