An ancient plant that is popular in landscaping, Cycas revoluta is the King Sago Palm is a native to Japan and nearby areas. Fairly easy to grow both indoors and outside, Sago palms are suitable for growing in containers. while many plants change and evolve, this one has remained the same for millions of years.
These are a slow growing plant so prices will vary from around $50 – 60 for a small plant through to $700 plus for larger specimens.
The Sago Palm Tree or Cycas Revoluta is one of the most popular ‘palm trees’ grown in gardens across the USA, the catch is the ‘Sago Palm’ is not really a palm.
A Sago Palm is actually a cycad and not a palm tree as such and as it copes with a wide range of climatic conditions the Sago palm tree is versatile and fairly easy to care for.
Sago Palms are very popular in the following states : Louisiana, Florida, South Carolina, Texas, Mississippi, Alabama, Nevada, Arizona, Georgia and California. They are also grown indoors in many Shopping Centres and Malls.
Where can you grow the Sago Palm ?
This is an adaptable plant that will grow well from around 12F right through to 100F, so in USDA zones 7b – 8 through to zone 11. It is fairly happy outdoors in the garden. In colder climates, it is a container plant and is over wintered indoors.
Care
The Sago Palm or ‘Cycas Revoluta’ is relatively easy to care for and is adaptable. Sago Palms is from Southern Japan and will cope with climates from Cool Temperate to Tropical and is will cope with light frosts and dry conditions although not prolonged drought.
A well drained part shade to sunny position with deep soil is best, however sago palms can also be grown in containers or pots and will cope with less than ideal conditions. Sago palms do not like to be waterlogged. Sago palms can be grown from seed fairly easily if desired.
In summary, Sago Palms require a warm summer, but will cope with a cold winter if protected from frosts, they prefer good drainage and can be left to almost dry out between watering. They are slow growing, and are best planted beneath evergreen trees where they will still get plenty of light, beneath deciduous trees they seem to ‘fill up’ with fallen leaves and look a little unsightly, or plant them in the open.
More information
These are an excellent plant to help create a tropical look in the garden or around a pool or patio. Although usually purchased as a young low growing plant the sago palm will grow a trunk over time, they produce pups or offsets which can be separated to create new plants.
Where to buy
Varieties are available for sale from the following nurseries
THE JURASIC GARDEN at A&A CYCADS Phone: (818) 759-0600 Cell: (310) 770-9657
11801 Stagg Street North Hollywood , CA 91605
GULF COAST GREENERY
A grand collection of amazing container plants. many Sizes. Wholesale and Mail Order. Order Online.
www.gulf-coast-greenery.com
