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Cycas revoluta

Image of Cycas revoluta

Felder Rushing

Family

Cycadaceae

Botanical Name

Cycas revoluta

Plant Common Name

King Sago, Sago Palm

General Description

Sago palm is not a true palm but a cycad. This cone-bearing, clump-forming evergreen is a southern Japanese native and develops a tree-like appearance over time. Its long leaves are dark, glossy green and feathery in appearance but stiff and prickly to the touch. They are densely clustered and radiate from a central point at the top of the woody trunk-like stems.

Cycads are dioecious, meaning plants bear either male or female cone flowering structures. Male plants produce fuzzy, gold-brown flowering structures with a pineapple scent, while female sago palms bear smaller flowering structures that produce bright red, oval seeds.

Plant sago palm in full to partial sun and fertile soils with good drainage. It is a striking accent plant that offers a tropical effect, in a patio container or as a focal point in the mixed border or foundation planting. It must be planted in very well-drained soil and does have some pest and disease problems, particularly white Aulacaspis scale.

Be vigilant and quick in fighting white Aulacaspis scale (particularly in the American Southeast and California). It will very quickly cover the roots, trunk, and leaf undersides, sucking the juices from tissues. Glorious, mature specimens can be killed in less than two years by this ferocious pest. White Aulacaspis scale has decimated cycads in China, the Pacific and Caribbean.

Characteristics

  • AHS Heat Zone

    12 - 6

  • USDA Hardiness Zone

    8 - 15

  • Sunset Zone

    H1, H2, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

  • Plant Type

    Palm or Cycad

  • Sun Exposure

    Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade

  • Height

    3'-10' / 0.9m - 3.0m

  • Width

    3'-6' / 0.9m - 1.8m

  • Bloom Time

    Indeterminate

  • Native To

    Japan

Growing Conditions

  • Soil pH

    Acidic, Neutral

  • Soil Drainage

    Well Drained

  • Soil type

    Loam, Sand

  • Tolerances

    Drought, Salt

  • Growth Rate

    Slow

  • Water Requirements

    Drought Tolerant, Average Water

  • Habit

    Upright/Erect

  • Seasonal Interest

    Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Ornamental Features

  • Flower Interest

    Showy

  • Flower Color

    Gold, Sandy Brown

  • Fruit Color

    Orange Red

  • Foliage Color (Spring)

    Green, Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Summer)

    Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Fall)

    Dark Green

  • Foliage Color (Winter)

    Dark Green

  • Bark Color

    Brown, Chocolate, Black, Gray

  • Bark Color Modifier

    Multi-Color

  • Fragrant Flowers

    Yes

  • Fragrant Fruit

    No

  • Fragrant Foliage

    No

  • Bark or Stem Fragrant

    No

  • Repeat Bloomer

    No

  • Showy Fruit

    Yes

  • Edible Fruit

    No

  • Showy Foliage

    Yes

  • Foliage Texture

    Coarse

  • Foliage Sheen

    Glossy

  • Evergreen

    Yes

  • Showy Bark

    No

Special Characteristics

  • Usage

    Container, Feature Plant, Foundation, Houseplant, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall, Tropical

  • Sharp or Has Thorns

    Yes

  • Invasive

    No

  • Self-Sowing

    No