Sago Cycad
Cycas revoluta
Also listed as Cycas aurea, Cycas miquelii
Also known as Sago Palm, Japanese Sago Cycad, King Sago
Climate Match for your location
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A slow-growing cycad with distinctive feathery, dark green fronds that emerge from a thick central trunk, creating a dramatic tropical appearance. It is drought-tolerant once established and requires minimal maintenance, making it an excellent accent plant for warm climates.
Why grow it
Cycas revoluta offers architectural form and tropical character in settings where many palms struggle, particularly in drier climates or containers. Unlike fast-growing ornamental palms, its deliberate pace suits gardeners seeking a long-lived specimen plant that won't outgrow its space quickly. It tolerates poor soils and irregular watering better than most tropical-looking plants, making it practical for low-input landscapes in warm regions.
Watch out for
Growth is genuinely slow, typically producing only one or two new fronds annually, so patience is required before the plant achieves substantial size. Container specimens benefit from periodic flushing and good drainage to prevent salt accumulation and root issues in potting soil. Spider mites and scale insects can become persistent problems indoors or in dry climates, requiring regular monitoring.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Cycadaceae
Native Range
Southern Japan
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A slow-growing cycad with distinctive feathery, dark green fronds that emerge from a thick central trunk, creating a dramatic tropical appearance. It is drought-tolerant once established and requires minimal maintenance, making it an excellent accent plant for warm climates.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Sago Cycad grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Cycas revoluta offers architectural form and tropical character in settings where many palms struggle, particularly in drier climates or containers. Unlike fast-growing ornamental palms, its deliberate pace suits gardeners seeking a long-lived specimen plant that won't outgrow its space quickly. It tolerates poor soils and irregular watering better than most tropical-looking plants, making it practical for low-input landscapes in warm regions.
Watch out for
Growth is genuinely slow, typically producing only one or two new fronds annually, so patience is required before the plant achieves substantial size. Container specimens benefit from periodic flushing and good drainage to prevent salt accumulation and root issues in potting soil. Spider mites and scale insects can become persistent problems indoors or in dry climates, requiring regular monitoring.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Cycadaceae
Native Range
Southern Japan
Seasonality
Season of Interest
Shrub
Woody multi-stem plants at eye level.
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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