How to Grow Sago Palms in Pots

Sagos are not palms, but members of an ancient plant family called cycads. Because if their slow rate of growth, sagos are easy to grow in a pot and fit well into tight spaces. They will thrive indoors given the right conditions, making them desirable decorative plants. Requiring little special care and having few pests, sagos add a tropical feel in your home on a tabletop or in an office lobby.

Clay pot
Well-draining potting mix
Perlite
Fertilizer
Rubbing alcohol
Q-tips
Spray bottle

Instructions

- 1
  Mix two parts well-draining potting mix with one part perlite. Choose a clay pot that is only slightly larger than the previous pot. Sagos grow best when slightly root bound.
- 2
  Remove your sago from the container and gently loosen the roots. Plant your sago at the same level it was in its previous pot. Add a balanced, timed-release fertilizer into the top of the pot according to label directions and work into the top of the soil. Water the plant well. Do not allow it to sit in water.
- 3
  Place your sago in a spot with bright natural light. Sagos will stretch if not enough light is provided. Turn your sago a quarter turn every week to keep the growth uniform.
- 4
  Water your sago palm when the soil is completely dry. Sagos are prone to root rot if they are overwatered.
- 5
  Check frequently for signs of mealybugs. Treat them with rubbing alcohol by dabbing them with a dipped cotton swab or spraying them.
- 6
  Protect your sago by providing temperatures above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Mist frequently to provide humidity. Trim dead lower fronds from your plant as needed.

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Indoor Growing