How to Encourage New Forms of Growth on Sago Palms

Cycas revoluta or sago palm, is a species of ancient plants, known as cycads, that are often confused for palm trees due to their palm-like fronds. Sago palms perform best in warm climates, such as those found in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 10. The plants are very slow-growing and may take more than 10 years to form a true trunk if grown from offshoots or small nursery plants. Provide sago palms with ideal growing conditions to encourage the formation of new growth.

Things You'll Need

Shovel
Garden hose

Slow-release granular fertilizer or water-soluble palm tree fertilizer
Pruning shears

Instructions

- 1
  Grow sago palms in a site with partial sun exposure; the plants perform best when they receive four hours of direct sunlight per day and bright, indirect light for the rest of the day. Plant sago palms at the same depth they grew in the nursery.
- 2
  Water sago palms regularly during the spring and summer to encourage the formation of new growth. Provide up to 1 inch of supplemental irrigation each time you water, but avoid allowing the soil to become overly saturated.
- 3
  Fertilize sago palms annually when their terminal buds begin to swell, indicating the start of the growing season. Feed the plants with an application of slow-release granular fertilizer or a water-soluble palm tree fertilizer. Apply fertilizer products according to the directions on the packaging.
- 4
  Prune sago palms at the beginning of each growing season to encourage vigorous growth. Cut yellow or brown fronds from the base of the plants with sharpened and sterilized pruning shears.

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