The real sago palm (lat. Metroxylon sagu) is used in its Southeast Asian homeland as a useful plant for the construction and extraction of palm sago. The cycad (Latin: Cycas revoluta) described here is usually kept as an ornamental plant under the name “sago palm”.
How do I ideally care for a sago palm?
A sago palm needs a bright location without direct sun, low-lime irrigation water and nitrogen-containing fertilizer. Waterlogging should be avoided. In winter, watering and fertilization should be reduced and the plant should overwinter at temperatures between 5-10 °C.
The ideal location for the sago palm
The sago palm or cycad needs a lot of light. So give the plant a place that is as bright as possible, but not in the blazing sun. Light shade is ideal. In summer the cycad can be left outside in the garden, in winter this is only possible with good winter protection, as the cycad can only tolerate temperatures down to -7 °C.
Water and fertilize the sago palm properly
The sago palm reacts very sensitively to waterlogging, as well as to calcareous water. Therefore, the pot for your cycad needs good drainage made of pottery shards, granules or coarse gravel. Only water with soft, low-lime water. You can let tap water sit for some time, but rainwater is the best solution. The fertilizer for the sago palm should contain nitrogen (€42.00 on Amazon).
The sago palm in winter
If your cycad is outside in the garden all year round, then it definitely needs good protection from frost. This can be made from old sacks or bubble wrap. Alternatively, move the cycad to a frost-free winter quarters. Ideally the temperatures here are around 5 °C to 10 °C.
During the winter, stop watering and fertilizing your sago palm completely. Too much heat, water or fertilizer damages the plant. The result could be yellow leaves. The plant also needs a lot of light in winter.
The sago palm (Cycas revoluta) in brief:
- slow growing
- gets 2 to 4 m tall
- easy care
- 1 to 2 m long fronds
- very deep roots
- Location: definitely bright
- sensitive to waterlogging
- water only with soft, low-lime water
- Use fertilizer containing nitrogen
- Do not water or fertilize in winter, spray if necessary
- frost hardy up to around -7 °C
- ideal wintering temperature: approx. 12 °C
- suitable as a houseplant
Tip
Your sago palm, aka cycad, thrives best in a bright and warm place without wind or drafts. The irrigation water should be as low in lime as possible and the fertilizer should contain more nitrogen.