Sago palm, Japanese sago palm, Funeral palm

Cycas revoluta

Cycadaceae

Leaves are pinnate and are composed of a rigid midrib with glossy leaflets arranged in a plane along its length. These leaflets are revolute which means that they curl under along their edge - this attribute provides the plant's species name.

The palms might be 15 years before they bloom. The female inflorescence is feather like, later forming a tightly packed seed head, closely covered by whitish miniature leaves. The male cone is pineapple shaped. Seeds are brownish-red, the shape of a flattened marble, about 30 mm( 1.25 ins) across.

It grows well in full sun or outdoor shade, but needs bright light when grown indoors. It needs to be grown in bright light all the year long.

It requires hot summers with mean temperatures of 30 to 35 °C for successful growth.

It grows best in sandy, well-drained soil. It needs good drainage or it will rot.

It is a drought tolerant plant.

It does not like to be over-watered. Let the soil dry out before watering.

It is usually free from pests but can occasionally get into problems with scale or mealybug.

The plant is very slow growing requiring about 50 years to achieve a height of 10-12 feet. As the plant matures branching of the thick stem may occur which only adds to the interest and charm of this beauty.

Apply slow release fertilizer granules or diluted liquid fertilizers. Strong fertilizers, fresh manure and the like are best avoided as they can damage the sago's coralloid roots.

Pruning is not required to be done.

Propagation is done from the seeds and more commonly by division of the offshoots ‘ known as pups’ which develop on the main trunk.

As the plant is very hardy, no special care is required for the plant.

The plant is generally used as a specimen plant.

Potted plant, specimen plant