Sago Palm

Cycas revoluta

Light Requirement: Full sun to partial shade. It can handle bright sun but often looks best with some protection from harsh afternoon sun in hot Florida landscapes.

Height: Commonly 3–6 ft. tall in landscapes.  Very old specimens can reach 10 ft. or more over time, often with mulitiple trunks/heads.

Growth Habit: Very slow-growing cycad with a short, thick trunk and a symmetrical crown of stiff, glossy, dark green fronds. Although commonly called a palm, it is not a true palm.

Hardiness: USDA Zones 8b–11; cold hardy to around 15–20°F, but hard freezes can damage the foliage; drought tolerant once established; moderate salt tolerance and can handle some coastal conditions, but it is best protected from heavy direct salt spray.

Maintenance Info: Low maintenance once established. Plant in well-drained soil and avoid overwatering. Remove old or damaged fronds as needed, but avoid excessive pruning because it can weaken the plant’s appearance. Use palm/cycad fertilizer if the plant shows yellowing or nutrient deficiency. Important caution: all parts of the plant are toxic if ingested, especially the seeds, so use care around pets and children.

Best Uses in the Landscape: Excellent as a specimen plant, entryway accent, foundation planting, courtyard feature, container plant, tropical bed accent, or formal landscape element. Its compact size and slow growth make it useful in smaller spaces where larger palms would outgrow the area.

Plant Info: Sago Palm is native to southern Japan, including the Ryukyu Islands, and parts of southern China. It belongs to an ancient group of plants called cycads, which have been around since prehistoric times. Its stiff, symmetrical fronds give it a bold tropical look, while its slow growth makes it easy to manage in residential landscapes. Despite its palm-like appearance, it is more closely related to ancient cone-bearing plants than to true palms.