Herself's Houseplants

Sago palms make excellent house plants. Who can’t help but love a plant that survived the dinosaurs and continues to thrive today? It is not really a palm but is a cycad. And it is extremely easy to grow indoors or out.

The two pictures above are of two sagos planted outdoors 10 years ago, one in full sun, one in shade. While both survived the one in the sun is quite a bit larger. Sagos are slow growing plants so if you want your sago to grow fast put in a very sunny window. If you don’t mind it just hanging out, it is great for a less sunny location. Because they are such slow growers they are good plants for dish gardens.

Water it when it is dry, it’ll forgive you if you occasionally forget to water it, not if you over water it.

Fertilize regularly to speed up growing, a couple of times a year otherwise.

If your sago has several layers of leaves then removing the bottom third will force it to put out new flushes at the top. This plant tries very hard to keep leaves and roots balanced. So removing leaves gives it a strong desire to make more. Also re-pot it up if you gain more leaves to give the roots room to expand. Normally it will put out one new set ( flush ) of leaves per year.

Watch for scale, it seems to like these plants.

It minds neither cold nor heat, temperature is not a concern for this plant.

Yellow edges all down the row of leaves is a sign of salt damage. Let the water run through the pot and out the bottom each watering. It may also mean you need to repot in fresh soil.

Both the seeds and the leaves of sago are quite toxic.  Be cautious when handling them.

Thanks for the photo!( don’t we all wish ours looked like Lance’s what a great plant! )

These are succulents and therefore need lots of direct bright light.  Temperatures need to be over 55′F.  Keep them away from drafty windows and doors in cold climates.  They will reward you with  wonderful flowers if you take good care of them.

Water regularly during summer months, less in winter months.  Too little water in the summer will cause leaves to drop.  Too much water in the winter will cause the plant to rot.

Some leaves may spot, brown and fall off at the beginning of the winter dormancy period. This is ok.

If you can take them outdoors for the summer they will be a very happy plant.

The sap is toxic so be careful if you get any on your hands.