Sago palm
Not a palm but a cycad: slow, very long-lived and toxic in every part — keep it away from pets.
Care
Bright light; outdoors sun to part shade, indoors a bright window.
Low — water well when the compost is dry; almost none in winter. The trunk rots easily.
Very free-draining, gritty soil or compost.
Remove only fully dead fronds. Don't cut yellowing fronds while the new flush is growing — the plant draws on them.
A palm or balanced feed with magnesium two or three times in summer.
Offsets (pups) removed from the trunk base, dried and potted in grit; slow.
Month by month
Months change with the climate: in southern Italy tomatoes go out two months earlier than in England.
- MayDon't touch or move the plant while the new fronds unfurl — they set in that position.
- NovemberOutdoors, cover the crown and keep it dry in winter; move pots under cover in cold areas. how ›
Months based on climate: UK. Your choice stays on this device.
- MayDon't touch or move the plant while the new fronds unfurl — they set in that position.
- NovemberOutdoors, cover the crown and keep it dry in winter; move pots under cover in cold areas. how ›
Months based on climate: Northern Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- AprilDon't touch or move the plant while the new fronds unfurl — they set in that position.
Months based on climate: Central Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- AprilDon't touch or move the plant while the new fronds unfurl — they set in that position.
Months based on climate: Southern Italy and islands. Your choice stays on this device.
Common problems
How to spot it. Old fronds yellow.
What to do. Natural for the oldest; widespread yellowing is overwatering or magnesium shortage.
How to spot it. Soft trunk base.
What to do. Too wet; usually fatal.
Questions
Sago palm: is it hardy?
H3: Half hardy. It survives down to −5 °C.
Can it grow in a pot?
Yes — very common as a pot plant.
Sago palm: when do you prune it?
Remove only fully dead fronds.
When do you feed it?
A palm or balanced feed with magnesium two or three times in summer. Feeding months, UK: May–July.