How to Grow Sago Palm
Cycas revoluta
Sago palm is one of the oldest living plant species — a slow-growing cycad that can live for centuries and rarely needs repotting. It thrives in bright indirect light indoors and needs very little water; let the soil dry out partially between waterings. The new frond flush in spring is dramatic and rewarding. Keep it well away from pets and children — all parts are extremely toxic, especially the seeds.
Yearly Lifecycle
Care Essentials
Feed monthly with a diluted balanced liquid fertiliser from spring through summer. Stop feeding entirely in autumn and winter when the plant is dormant.
Watch For
- Scale insects
- Mealybug
- Spider mites
- Crown rot from overwatering
- Yellow fronds from nutrient deficiency
Pet Safety
Care Requirements
Light
Bright indirect light
Thrives in bright indirect light indoors. Can tolerate some direct morning sun but avoid harsh midday sun which scorches fronds. Low light causes slow growth and weak fronds.
Watering
Infrequent; allow soil to dry partially
Water thoroughly then allow the top half of the soil to dry before watering again. Reduce watering in winter. Overwatering causes crown rot which is usually fatal.
Fertilizing
Monthly in spring and summer only
Feed monthly with a diluted balanced liquid fertiliser from spring through summer. Do not feed in autumn or winter. Over-fertilising causes salt burn on fronds.
Pruning
Remove only dead or brown fronds
Cut off fronds only when fully brown and dead. Never remove green fronds — this stresses the plant and slows recovery. Wear gloves; the leaf tips are sharp.
Humidity
Tolerates average indoor humidity
Adapts well to normal household humidity. Mist occasionally in dry winters or stand near a humidifier to prevent frond tip browning.
