Pocket BotanistPlant guide
Sago Palm.
Cycas revoluta
Pronounced SY-kas rev-oh-LOO-tuh
Also known as Fern Palm, Sago Palm, Sago palm, King sago, Sago cycad, Japanese sago palm, sago cycas, sotesu-nut
The Sago Palm is a beautiful, ancient plant that looks like a miniature palm tree. It is actually a cycad and grows very slowly, making it a great choice for a long term houseplant. It adds a touch of prehistoric charm to any sunny spot in your home.
At a glance
- Care level
- Moderate
- Plant type
- Cycad
- Light
- Bright, indirect light is best, though it can handle some direct sun once acclimated.
- Indoor light
- bright-indirect
- Water
- Every 14 to 21 days
- Mature size
- 1 to 2 meters tall
- Growth rate
- slow
- Hardiness
- USDA 8 to 11
- Bloom time
- Rarely blooms indoors
Care
Let the soil dry out significantly between waterings to prevent root rot. Provide plenty of bright light to keep the fronds from stretching. Watch for yellowing leaves, which often signal that the plant is getting too much water.
- Watering
- Allow the top half of the soil to dry out completely before watering again.
- Feeding
- Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.
- Pruning
- Only remove fronds that have turned completely brown or yellow.
- Repotting
- Repot only when the plant has become severely root bound.
- Soil
- Well draining, sandy potting mix
- Soil pH
- 6.0 to 7.0
- Temperature
- -5 to 35°C
- Humidity
- 40 to 60%
- Drought tolerance
- high
- Lifespan
- Perennial, can live for over 100 years.
- Deer and rabbits
- high
Signs it needs repotting
- Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
- Water sitting on the surface for too long.
- The plant has not been repotted in three years.
Safety
- People
- The plant contains cycasin, a potent neurotoxin and carcinogen that causes severe liver damage and neurological issues.
- Pets
- This plant is extremely toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
- Children
- Keep this plant far away from children, as the seeds are particularly toxic and look like small, tempting snacks.
- Contact allergens
- The stiff, sharp leaves can cause mechanical skin irritation, and some people report mild dermatitis from handling the foliage.
- Airborne allergens
- There is no notable respiratory allergen risk associated with this plant.
- Edibility
- Every part of this plant is highly toxic to humans and pets if ingested.
How to identify it
- Stiff, dark green feathery fronds
- Thick, woody, pineapple like trunk
- Fronds grow in a circular rosette
- Slow growing evergreen habit
- Height
- 0.6 to 2m
- Spread
- 0.6 to 1.5m
- Leaves
- dark green, evergreen
- Flowers
- 0cm
Common problems
- Scale insects — Small, sap sucking insects that appear as brown bumps on the undersides of leaves.
- Root rot — Fungal decay caused by overwatering or poorly draining soil.
- Yellowing fronds — Usually a sign of nutrient deficiency or improper light levels.
Growing it
- Propagation
- offsets, seed
- When to plant
- spring
- Overwintering
- Move the plant to a frost free location if you live in a cold climate. Reduce watering significantly during the winter months.
- In containers
- It grows exceptionally well in containers, provided you use a pot with excellent drainage and a sandy soil mix.
Offsets or Pups
- Carefully remove the small offsets that grow at the base of the mother plant.
- Allow the cut end to callous over for a few days in a dry spot.
- Plant the offset in a small pot with well draining soil.
- Keep the soil barely moist until new roots establish.
Pair with plants that have similar low water needs to avoid root rot in the cycad.
Grows well with
- Liriope — Its grass like texture contrasts beautifully with the stiff cycad fronds.
- Bird of Paradise — Both plants enjoy similar tropical conditions and provide a bold architectural look.
Keep away from
- Ferns — Ferns require much more moisture than the drought tolerant cycad.
Similar species
- Cardboard Palm — It shares a similar growth habit and prehistoric appearance.
Science
- Family
- Cycadaceae
- Genus
- Cycas
- Order
- Cycadales
- Class
- Cycadopsida
- Native range
- Southern Japan and parts of the Ryukyu Islands.
- Conservation
- It is listed as near threatened in its native habitat due to overcollection and habitat loss.
It thrives in rocky, well drained slopes where it can access deep moisture while avoiding waterlogged roots.
- Uses
- Architectural ornamental, Container specimen, Tropical landscape accent
Through the year
Ecological indicators
- Salinity
- 4/9
- Soil reaction
- 6/9
- Light
- 7/9
- Temperature
- 8/9
- Moisture
- 3/9
- Nutrients
- 3/9
Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.
Questions people ask
- Is it safe for cats?
- No, it is extremely toxic to cats and dogs.
- Why are the leaves turning yellow?
- It could be a magnesium deficiency or too much water.
Where the name comes from
The name Cycas comes from the Greek word for a type of palm, while revoluta refers to the way the leaf edges curl downward.
Good to know
- It is not a true palm, but a cycad.
- These plants grow very slowly, often adding only one set of leaves per year.
- They have been around since the time of the dinosaurs.
Is your sago palm looking unwell?
This page is a general guide. Pocket Botanist diagnoses problems from a photo of your actual plant, works out watering for your light and conditions, and reminds you when care is due.
This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.