Botanical Name: Cycas revoluta
Common Name: Japanese cycad / Sago Palm

 

Use: Outdoors
Indigenous/Exotic : Exotic
Evergreen/Deciduous : Evergreen
Plant Type : Shrub
Flower Colour :
Foliage Colour : Green
Best Season : All seasons
Light : Sun
Hardiness : Semi hardy
Attributes :
Height (m) : 2
Spread (m) : 2
    
Notes : This slow-growing, palm-like relative of our indigenous cycads is also called Japanese cycad or Japanese sago palm. It produces fronds of spine-tipped leaflets and a short, stubby trunk. Mature specimens may also produce several side stems. The sago palm’s leaflets have distinct mid-ribs, which distinguish them from the leaflets of the cycad. More readily available than many of our indigenous cycads, the sago palm makes an excellent accent or form plant. It harmonises with other plants which have bold, large leaves, such as wild bananas, strelitzias and palms, and is a useful component in creating the ‘tropical look’ in a garden, especially around swimming pools and ponds. A less well-known but attractive species is Cycas circinalis, which is called the ‘fern palm’ because it has finer foliage.

 

Indigenous to southern Japan, the sago palm grows best in warm, moist, frost-free regions but is fairly adaptable and can be grown in cooler areas if in a sheltered position.

 

Prefers a moist, well-drained soil which has been enriched with compost. In the warmer, moist regions it thrives in full sun, but in hotter, drier areas it will benefit from some shade. For the best results, water regularly.