Sago Palm

The Sago Palm Tree or Cycas Revoluta is one of the most popular 'palm trees' grown in gardens across the USA, the catch is the 'Sago Palm' is not really a palm.

A Sago Palm is actually a cycad and not a palm tree as such and as it copes with a wide range of climatic conditions the Sago palm tree is versatile and fairly easy to care for.

Sago Palms are very popular in the following states : Louisiana, Florida, South Carolina, Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Nevada, Arizona, Georgia and California. They are also grown indoors in many Shopping Centres and Malls.

Sago Palm Care and Growing Conditions

The Sago Palm or 'Cycas Revoluta' is relatively easy to care for and is adaptable. Sago Palms is from Southern Japan and will cope with climates from Cool Temperate to Tropical and is will cope with light frosts and dry conditions although not prolonged drought.

A well drained part shade to sunny position with deep soil is best, however sago palms can also be grown in containers or pots and will cope with less than ideal conditions. Sago palms do not like to be waterlogged. Sago palms can be grown from seed fairly easily if desired.

In summary, Sago Palms require a warm summer, but will cope with a cold winter if protected from frosts, they prefer good drainage and can be left to almost dry out between watering. They are slow growing, and are best planted beneath evergreen trees where they will still get plenty of light, beneath deciduous trees they seem to 'fill up' with fallen leaves and look a little unsightly, or plant them in the open.

More information

These are an excellent plant to help create a tropical look in the garden or around a pool or patio. Although usually purchased as a young low growing plant the sago palm will grow a trunk over time, they produce pups or offsets which can be separated to create new plants.