Sago Cycad
Cycas revoluta
Also known as
Japanese Sago Palm, Sago Palm, Sotesu-Nut, King Sago, Cycad, Sago palm, Japanese fern palm
Cycas revoluta.Düsseldorf by Holek (CC BY 3.0)
Full Sun
Easy care
Moderate watering
Tender
H2
RHS hardiness
1°C
Minimum temperature
Expected size
Height | Spread | |
|---|---|---|
15m | Max | 3m |
1m | Min | 1m |
25 years to reach maturity
Flowering
This plant has no fragrance
More images of Sago Cycad
Sago Cycad Overview
Cycas revoluta is a popular garden and container plant. It is one of the plants used to produce the starch sago. It is also known by the names Sago Cycad, Sago Palm and King Sago, amongst others. It is termed a gymnosperm as it produces male and female cones. These are compatible to the flowers of other plants, being the part that produces new plants. Part of the Cycadaceae family, this species is palm-like but not technically a true palm plant as it is not included in the palm family, Arecaceae. It produces large, evergreen foliage up to 1.5m in length. Sago Palm may be used to bring a tropical look to plantings. It may be a statement plant, growing best in full sun and sandy, well-draining soil. Yellow-brown flowers seldom appear in cultivation, it takes a long time for this plant to mature to flowering.
Common problems with Sago Cycad
Rust in moist conditions; Palm beetles can destroy a plant.
Sago Cycad Companion Plants
Group with other cycads and under-plant with dry shade loving plants.
How to harvest Sago Cycad
The pith is harvested and used to make sago.
How to propagate Sago Cycad
Seed
Grows very slow. Seeds are often hand pollinated. Sow fertile seeds in well-draining, sandy soil mixture.
Suckers
Remove suckers from the mother plant when they are well-established.
Special features of Sago Cycad
Indoor plant
Can be grown indoors, but needs good indirect light.
Drought resistant
Can go for extended periods without water.
Pot plant
Very popular as pot and house plant.
Attractive leaves
Other uses of Sago Cycad
Ornamental, border, foliage, container, fruit, greenhouse.
Edible
Sago is produced from the pith after detoxing it. The cycad is toxic and the starch used to produce sago is rinsed several times before using it.
Ornamental
Of all the cycads, C. revoluta is the most popular in cultivation. It is seen in almost all botanical gardens, in both temperate and tropical locations. In many areas of the world, it is heavily promoted commercially as a landscape plant.
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