Cycas revoluta commonly called the Sago palm is a native Japanese cycad often referred to as a 'living fossil' because cycads have been on the earth for over 100 million years - that's even before the dinosaurs went extinct! This is a striking ornamental tree. The plant has a rosette of large thick green feathery leaves that grow on top of a trunk. Although it looks like a palm, it is more closely related to the conifers. Each plant is either a male or female, whit the females producing a flower and males producing a cone.
Sago palms are very slow-growing, which translates to a higher price tag. They are suitable for both pots and planting in the ground for areas that receive either full sun or part shade. They are excellent for adding a tropical feel to your garden but also fit right into a desert or formal style garden. They are extremely long-lived, surviving over 200 years.
Please note: (1) The leaf tips are sharp and therefore should be planted in appropriate locations. (2) Caution: Ingestion of cycad seeds are highly toxic to people and animals.
Light requirement: Full Sun and Part sun/part shade
Water requirement: Low
Watering frequency:
Soil: While they do prefer rich soil, they are tough enough to grow in almost any type of soil, but good drainage is very important to prevent root rot.
Skill level: Beginner
Growth rate: Slow
Suitable for containers: Yes
More info:
External links to more info:
Drought tolerance: High
Frost tolerance: Medium
Wind tolerance: High
Disease and pest susceptibility:
Mature height:
Mature width:
Suitable for shaping: No
Colour: Green
Variegation: No
Size: Large
Seasonality: Evergreen
Flowering: Yes; but primarily grown for it's foliage
Flower colour: Cream
Flower fragrant: No
Flowering season:
Fruit: Yes