Cycas revoluta
Sago palms are a popular tropical plant, known for their bright green leaves and distinctive shape. They’re easy to look after, but there are several things you should consider when caring for them. This guide will explain the basics of light, soil, water, temperature and humidity and fertilizer requirements for healthy sago palms.
Sago palms prefer bright indirect sunlight or dappled shade and can grow well in lower light conditions too. For most varieties of sago palm, direct sunlight should be avoided; this is because it can lead to yellowing of the leaves and sunburn damage. To keep your sago palms as healthy as possible, make sure they are getting plenty of bright indirect light daily. If the area you want to place your sago palm in receives direct sunlight at any point during the day, consider providing some kind of shade or filtered window covering to prevent sunburn damage.
When it comes to soil type, sago palms prefer a fast-draining potting mix that is slightly acidic with a pH between 6 and 7. It’s best not to use regular garden soil as this can retain too much moisture and cause root rot or fungal diseases in your plant over time. To help ensure optimal drainage, you can mix in some perlite or sand into your potting mix before planting your sago palm.
In terms of watering requirements, sago palms are relatively low maintenance; they should be watered whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to touch (usually every 1-2 weeks). Make sure not to overwater your plants as this can cause root rot; if you notice any signs of yellowing leaves or wilting then cut back on watering until the symptoms subside.
In terms of temperature requirements, most species of sago palm do best in warm temperatures between 65-85°F (18-29°C). Additionally, high humidity levels help keep these plants healthy so try misting them regularly with distilled water or setting up a humidifier nearby if necessary.
Fertilizer needs vary from species to species but generally speaking you should only feed your plants once every 3 months using a balanced fertilizer diluted by half its recommended strength in order avoid burning the roots of your sago palm over time. Additionally, always check labels carefully before applying any fertilizer as some contain high levels of salts which may harm your plant if applied incorrectly or too frequently.
