Palm Trees – Sago Palm

• Sago Palm

Botanical name: Cycas revoluta

Beginner friendly?: no

Average size at maturity: 10 – 20 ft in height and a 3 – 10 ft spread

Bloom time:  summer

Hardy zone: zones 8-11

Flower color: yellow/brown

Foliage color: green/brown

Growth rate: grows no more than half a foot a year

Pruning instructions: remove old fronds as they begin to brown all the way to the stem 

Propagation methods: cut a stem just below a node and place in water until roots start to emerge

Landscape use: smaller accent tree to contrast colorful garden beds 

Light needs: 5-6 hours of sun a day

Special features:  can also grow well in more shaded areas, but is most happy in the sun. can be grown in the ground or in a deep pot.

Watering instructions:  water when the soil feels dry to the touch. Will require 1 – 2 weekly watering during the first growing season. More drought tolerant once established. 

Fertilizing instructions : use 12-4-12 in april and again in august 

Best time to plant: late winter or early spring 

Best type of soil: sand and loam 

Companion plants: indian hawthorn, plumbago, bird or paradise 

Toxicity level: severely toxic for humans and pets from contact with skin and/or ingestion

Invasive species: no