Consulta Plantas

Care of the cycad Cycas revoluta or Sago palm

The genus Cycas belongs to the Cycadaceae family and includes more than 100 species of plants native to Asia, Australia, Africa, Madagascar and the Pacific islands. Some species are: Cycas revoluta, Cycas circinalis, Cycas platyphylla, Cycas media, Cycas indica.

Common names: Sago palm, Japanese Sago Palm, Sago cycad or King Sago Palm. This species is native to Japan.

They are dioecious plants of very slow growth with an appearance similar to palm trees that reach 3 meters (9.84 feet) in height. The trunk is cylindrical and thick. The long leaves have stiff, glossy dark green leaflets. The flowers are insignificant and have no decorative value. Male plants have a large central spike filled with sporangia and female plants a set of short petiolate leaves at the end that harbor small rounded bumps that contain macrospores.

They are used as isolated specimens, in small groups and in pots for terraces and patios, as indoor and greenhouse plants. They are ideal for gardens with a Mediterranean climate.

Cycas revoluta needs a shade or semi-shade exposure. Direct sun causes the leaves to turn yellow. Although they resist occasional frosts, it's better that in winter the temperature does not drop below 10 ºC (50 ºF).

The soil can be a mixture of garden soil, peat, and coarse siliceous sand. The planting is done at the end of winter and the transplant at the end of autumn.

Water moderately throughout the year waiting for the substrate to dry; increase watering in summer.

Fertilize once in summer with organic slow-release fertilizer.

If there is excess humidity, they can be attacked by mealybugs and fungi.

They are propagated from seed but it's a very slow process. It's better to buy new plants despite their high price.

Images of the cycad Cycas revoluta or Sago palm