No, it is a cycad, which is a primitive group of seed plants that do not produce flowers.

Why are the leaves turning yellow?

Yellowing often indicates a magnesium deficiency or poor drainage in the soil.

Plant 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

Sago cycad — Photo by zebedeugalinha (CC BY) via iNaturalist

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.

Another photo of Sago Palm — Photo by sucker69420 (CC BY) via gbif

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 in cultivation.

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: -7 to 40°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
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
The plant has stopped growing entirely
Soil is breaking down and holding too much water

Safety

People: The entire plant contains cycasin, which is a potent neurotoxin and carcinogen that causes severe gastrointestinal distress and liver failure.
Pets: This plant is extremely toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Children: This plant is extremely dangerous for children because every part is poisonous and the leaves have sharp, needle like tips.
Contact allergens: The stiff, sharp leaflets can cause mechanical skin irritation and minor puncture wounds.
Airborne allergens: There is no significant evidence of respiratory allergies associated with this plant.
Edibility: All parts of this plant are highly toxic if ingested and can cause severe liver damage.

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 3m
Spread: 0.6 to 2.5m
Leaves: dark green, evergreen
Flowers: 0cm

Problems to watch for

Root RotCommon
Scale InsectsCommon
Brown Leaf EdgesUncommon
ChlorosisUncommon
Frond BrowningUncommon
Sooty MoldUncommon

By symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed, offsets
When to plant: spring, early summer
Overwintering: Move containers indoors before the first frost if you live in a cold climate. Keep the plant in a cool, bright spot and reduce watering significantly during the winter months.
In containers: It is excellent for containers, but ensure the pot has large drainage holes and use a gritty, fast draining potting mix.

Offsets

1. Carefully remove the small pups that grow at the base of the main trunk.
2. Allow the cut end to callous over for a few days in a dry area.
3. Plant the offset in a small pot with well draining soil.
4. Keep the soil barely moist until new roots develop.

Plant in well draining soil with low organic matter to mimic its natural rocky habitat.

Grows well with

Liriope — Its grass like foliage provides a soft contrast to the rigid structure of the cycad.
Azalea — They share similar soil drainage requirements and thrive in partial shade.

Similar species

Cardboard Palm — It has a similar growth habit and is also a popular cycad for landscaping.

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 for the nursery trade.

It thrives in rocky, well drained soils in coastal areas where it can withstand salt spray and wind.

Value to wildlife: rarely visited by local pollinators
Pollinators: beetles
Uses: ornamental specimen, container plant, architectural focal point

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 7/9
Moisture: 3/9
Nutrients: 3/9
Salinity: 5/9
Temperature: 7/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is it a palm tree?: No, it is a cycad, which is a primitive group of seed plants that do not produce flowers.
Why are the leaves turning yellow?: Yellowing often indicates a magnesium deficiency or poor drainage in the soil.

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 margins roll downward.

Good to know

Cycads are living fossils that have existed since the time of the dinosaurs.
They grow incredibly slowly, often producing only one set of new leaves per year.
The trunk is actually a woody stem that stores starch.
They are dioecious, meaning male and female cones grow on separate plants.

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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.