Cycas revoluta - Sago Palm - by @crazymumzysa

The sago palm is native to Southern Japan and one of the most primitive seed plants. Cycads often gets called the “Living Fossils” as they have changed very little over the past 2 million years.

The sago palm is a very popular cycad for both indoors and outdoors even though it takes years to reach maturity as it grows very slow. The younger plants have lower trunks than the older ones, they can reach a height of up to 7m but it takes between 50-100 years.

It is dioecious, the males produce pollen cones and the females megasporophyllis. They only bloom once every 3-4 years forming either a male or female crown. The seed crown on a mature female is rounded with rich golden colours and bright red or orange seeds inside once pollinated, where the male has an erected pine cone.

This plant has symmetrical feather-like flush of deep green leaves which grows out from the trunk periodically, forming a rosette. The leaves turn yellow then brown when dying, but if it turns yellow on new leaves it means that your plant's nutrients need some attention.

This cycad thrives in well-drained sandy soil, needs full sun but can also handle semi-shade, but do not enjoy over watering (let the plant dry between watering).

The sago palm is used for landscaping and the production of sago, the trunk can be used as a container.

Happy Gardening!

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