Plant Care Guide

Sago Palm

Cycas revoluta

The Sago Palm isn’t a true palm—it's a cycad, a lineage that’s been around since the dinosaurs. It’s slow-growing, architectural, and surprisingly low-maintenance when you match its needs: bright light, infrequent watering, sharp drainage, and steady warmth. Use it indoors as a sculptural focal point or outdoors in frost-free climates.

Watering Requirements

Sagos are drought-tolerant and prefer to dry out deeply between drinks. Overwatering is the fastest way to harm this plant, so think soak, then forget until the mix is dry again.

Watering Schedule

  • Spring/Summer: Water thoroughly when the top 3–4 inches (for big pots) or top 2 inches (smaller pots) are dry.
  • Fall/Winter: Extend intervals; water sparingly as growth slows.

Signs of Overwatering

  • Yellowing fronds + persistently wet soil
  • Soft or blackening crown/trunk
  • Sour smell from the pot

Signs of Underwatering

  • Wilting or folding leaflets
  • Crispy tips with bone-dry mix

Pro Tips

Use terracotta + a gritty mix and a moisture meter (or the finger test) to avoid guesswork—don’t water again until readings are near-dry.

Light Requirements

Bright light fuels compact growth and crisp, glossy fronds. Direct morning sun is welcome; harsh afternoon sun can scorch, especially indoors behind hot glass.

Ideal Placement

  • Indoors: Within a few feet of east or west windows (sheer-curtained south works too).
  • Outdoors (frost-free): Bright, dappled light or AM sun + PM shade.

Too Much Light (signs)

  • Brown, crispy margins; bleached patches

Too Little Light (signs)

  • Sparse, stretched fronds; slow or no flushes of new growth

Pro Tips

Rotate the pot a quarter-turn monthly so new leaf “flushes” form evenly around the crown.

Soil and Potting

Sagos demand excellent drainage. Think cactus/succulent style—not moisture-holding houseplant mix.

Best Soil Mix

  • 50% cactus/palm mix
  • 25% pumice/perlite
  • 25% coarse sand or orchid bark

Container Growing

  • Choose drainage holes (terracotta preferred).
  • Repot every 2–3 years or when roots circle and water sheets off the sides. Size up just 1–2 inches wider—oversized pots stay wet too long.

Pro Tips

Top-dress yearly with fresh mix instead of frequent repots; this refreshes nutrients without risking a soggy, oversized pot.

Fertilizing

Slow plants still need fuel—just not too much. Feed lightly during active months and stop in winter.

Fertilizer Schedule

  • Spring–Early Fall: Monthly, balanced palm/cactus fertilizer at half strength or a slow-release palm formula applied 1–2× per season.
  • Winter: Pause feeding.

Deficiency Clues

  • New fronds yellowing (“frizzle top”) → possible manganese deficiency; use a manganese sulfate product (not Epsom salt).
  • General pale growth → underfeeding or low light.

Pro Tips

Flush the pot with plain water every few months to prevent fertilizer salt buildup (a common cause of burnt tips).

Pruning and Maintenance

Less is more with pruning. Green fronds still feed the plant, even if they’re not perfect.

Pruning Guidelines

  • Remove fully brown or badly damaged fronds at the base.
  • Do not cut the top/crown; it won’t regrow.
  • Remove offsets (“pups”) if you want a cleaner silhouette or to propagate.

Maintenance Notes

  • Dust leaves with a soft cloth to keep photosynthesis strong.
  • Inspect for scale on midribs and undersides.

Pro Tips

Wear gloves—leaf edges can be sharp, and sap/plant parts are toxic.

Common Problems and Solutions

Even though Sago Palms are resilient, they can still face common issues if their basic needs aren’t met. Most problems come from watering errors, nutrient imbalances, or pests, but they are usually easy to correct once spotted.

Yellowing Fronds

  • Cause: Natural aging on older leaves or manganese deficiency in new growth
  • Solution: Trim old brown fronds; treat deficiencies with manganese sulfate and correct watering

Brown or Crispy Edges

  • Cause: Sun scorch from harsh direct light or low humidity
  • Solution: Move to bright, indirect light or morning sun only; add pebble tray or light misting

Soft or Black Crown/Roots

  • Cause: Overwatering leading to root or crown rot
  • Solution: Remove from pot, cut away rotted roots, and repot into a dry, gritty mix

Pest Infestations (Scale, Spider Mites)

  • Cause: Dry air and dusty foliage create favorable conditions
  • Solution: Wipe fronds clean, increase humidity, and treat with insecticidal soap or neem

Sparse or Stretched Growth

  • Cause: Insufficient light
  • Solution: Relocate to brighter spot or supplement with grow light

Pro Tips

If fronds emerge yellow and distorted (“frizzle top”), it’s almost always a manganese deficiency—a unique problem for cycads. Treat promptly, as new leaves will not recover but future flushes can be corrected.