The true sago palm (lat. Metroxylon sagu) is used in its Southeast Asian homeland as a crop for the construction and extraction of palm sago. The palm fern (Latin Cycas revoluta) described here is usually kept as an ornamental plant under the name "sago palm".

The sago palm likes to spend the summer outdoors

The ideal location for the sago palm

The sago palm or the cycad needs a lot of light. So give the plant as bright a place as possible, but not in the blazing sun. Light shade is ideal. In summer, the cycad can stand outside in the garden, in winter this is only possible with good winter protection, because the cycad only tolerates temperatures down to - 7 °C.

Water and fertilize the sago palm properly

The sago palm reacts very sensitively to waterlogging, as well as to calcareous water. Therefore, the pot for your cycad needs good drainage made of potsherds, granules or coarse gravel. Only water with soft, i.e. low-lime water. You leave tap water out for a while, but rainwater is the best solution. The fertilizer for the sago palm should be nitrogenous.

The sago palm in winter

If your cycad is outside in the garden all year round, then it absolutely needs good protection against frost. This can consist of old bags or bubble wrap. Alternatively, bring the cycad to a frost-free winter quarters. Ideally, the temperatures here are around 5 °C to 10 °C.

During the winter, stop watering and fertilizing your sago palm completely. Too much heat, water or fertilizer will damage the plant. The result could be yellow leaves. The plant also needs a lot of light in winter.

The sago palm (Cycas revoluta) in brief:

  • slow growing
  • becomes 2 to 4 m tall
  • easy-care
  • Fronds 1 to 2 m long
  • very deep growing roots
  • Location: necessarily bright
  • sensitive to waterlogging
  • water only with soft, lime-free water
  • use nitrogenous fertilizers
  • neither water nor fertilize in winter, if necessary spray
  • frost hardy to about - 7 °C
  • ideal hibernation temperature: approx. 12 °C
  • suitable as a houseplant

tips

Your sago palm, also known as cycad, thrives best in a bright and warm place without wind or drafts. The irrigation water should be as low in lime as possible and the fertilizer should be more nitrogenous.

Category:

Trees