Sago Palm

Is Sago Palm any kind of Palm?

Sago Palm is the name given to a plant, which is not "palm" at all. It belongs to the Cycad family and is scientifically called "Cycas Revoluta" which has a rugged trunk and feathery whorled leaves. The plant is symmetrical and has dark, shiny leaves that grow on a thick trunk, which is about twenty centimeter in diameter. They are associated with the conifer and Ginko trees.

More about Sago Palms

• The leaves of Sago Palm are around 50-150 cm in length when the plants are capable of reproduction. The leaves then grow to become somewhat similar to the feather like rosette. The leaves at the base of the plants take the shape of a spike.
• The petioles or stems of the plant are approximately six to ten centimeter in length and they also have small protective barbs that are to be as a defense system.
• The multiplication of Sago Palm is given result either with the help of seeds or by removing the basal offsets.
• The pith of the plant is edible and is used for making "sago" which is the name of a powdery starch that is processed from the pith found in the trunks of the Sago Palm but it is imperative to wash out all the toxins that are present in the starch since the consumption of it can be fatal for human beings and pets.

Optimum Conditions for Sago Palms

• Temperature- The temperature should be somewhere around 15 to 110 degree Fahrenheit and if there is frost, it might damage the plant at an early age.
• Humidity- The humidity should range from dry to wet.
• Light- Sago Palms are grow well in an area where they can get enough light though not direct or a place where sunlight falls for some part of the day.
• Growth Rate- The rate of growth of a Sago Palm is very slow and they get only one set of leaves every year or even every two years and remain approximately the same size.
• Span of Life- These plants live long and their growth pattern is at times peculiar and specimens of multi-trunk and multiple branched Sago palms have been seen.
• Soil- Soil requirements for this plant is that the soil should be well drained and rich in humus and these plants also prefer dry soil to wet soil.
• Water- If the plant receives sunlight the whole day then the requirement of water is twice in a week but if it is grown in shade it needs water once in a week or two weeks. The plant should be watered only when the soil is completely dry.
• Fertilizers- The plant needs fertilizers during spring and late summer. The fertilizers should not be put anywhere on the plant but only near the roots of the plant. The chemical fertilizers might just lead to the decay of plant parts if applied on those parts.

As mentioned earlier the plan has toxins and it should be taken care that the children in the house or the pets do not gnaw at the plant or do not eat the seeds of the plants.