Sago Palm
Cycas revoluta
📖 About this plant
The Sago Palm is actually a cycad, not a true palm, and is one of the oldest living plant species dating back to the age of dinosaurs. Despite its prehistoric beauty with glossy dark green fronds, ALL parts are HIGHLY TOXIC — the seeds are especially dangerous and can be fatal to children and pets if ingested.
🧑🌾 Care requirements
Full sun to bright indirect (4-8 hrs)
Every 1-2 weeks
Moderate (40-60%)
15-30°C
Well-drained sandy or gritty loam; must not remain waterlogged; pH 5.5-7.0
Palm/cycad-specific slow-release fertilizer (8-4-12) quarterly; extra manganese to prevent frizzle top
📋 Plant facts
- 🌍 Origin
- Southern Japan (Kyushu, Ryukyu Islands), China, Taiwan
- 📏 Max height
- 180-360 cm
- 📐 Spread
- 90-150 cm
- 🕰️ Bloom time
- Summer
- 🎨 Bloom color
- Yellow
- 🍃 Foliage color
- Dark Green
- ⏳ Lifespan
- Perennial
- 📈 Growth rate
- Very Slow
- ☠️ Toxicity
- HIGHLY TOXIC — all parts contain cycasin, especially seeds. Ingestion by pets or humans causes severe liver failure, vomiting, seizures, and can be fatal. Seek immediate veterinary/medical attention if ingested.
- 🌱 Propagation
- Removal of offsets (pups) from base; seed germination (slow, 3+ months); NOT a true palm
🛡️ Health & Safety
HIGHLY TOXIC — all parts contain cycasin, especially seeds. Ingestion by pets or humans causes severe liver failure, vomiting, seizures, and can be fatal. Seek immediate veterinary/medical attention if ingested.
Common issues
- Cycad scale (devastating pest), Yellow fronds from magnesium deficiency, Root rot from overwatering, Cold damage on new growth
💡 Care tips
- Not a true palm but a cycad that is one of the oldest living plant species,All parts are highly toxic to humans and pets if ingested,Extremely slow-growing often producing only one set of leaves per year,Prefers well-drained soil and can rot in soggy conditions
