Sago cycad Cycas revoluta
Sago cycad (Cycas revoluta) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Cycadaceae family, native to Southern Japan (Ryukyu Islands, Kyushu). It grows 1–3 m (3.3–10 ft) tall and 1.2–2.5 m (3.9–8.2 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and low water, and is hardy to about -8 °C (18 °F). Space plants about 1.8 m (5.9 ft) apart.
Plan Sago cycad in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Sago cycad at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Cycadaceae |
| Mature height | 1–3 m (3.3–10 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1.2–2.5 m (3.9–8.2 ft) |
| Spacing | 1.8 m (5.9 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -8 °C (18 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 8) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 40 °C (104 °F) |
| Flowering | from about June for 4–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | None |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Southern Japan (Ryukyu Islands, Kyushu) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇯🇵 Japan, 🇨🇳 China, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇸🇬 Singapore |
Is Sago cycad toxic?
- People: severely toxic
- Cats: severely toxic
- Dogs: severely toxic
- Parts: seeds, all parts
Cycasin: liver failure in dogs; seeds are especially deadly (ASPCA).
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Sago cycad
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and low water.
See Sago cycad in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden (8 plants)
- Fairy Lake Botanical Garden (10 plants)
- Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro (2 plants)
Questions about Sago cycad
- How far apart should I plant Sago cycad?
- About 1.8 m (5.9 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1.2–2.5 m (3.9–8.2 ft).
- Does Sago cycad need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Sago cycad need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Sago cycad?
- It tolerates about -8 °C (18 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8.
- When does Sago cycad flower?
- From about June for 4–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Sago cycad poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is severely toxic; for dogs severely toxic; for people severely toxic. Cycasin: liver failure in dogs; seeds are especially deadly (ASPCA).
- What grows well with Sago cycad?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Sago cycad. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
Notes and assumptions
- Not a palm but a cycad: a stiff rosette of glossy pinnate leaves on a shaggy trunk; very slow.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Fairy Lake cycad Cycas fairylakea
- Siamese cycad Cycas siamensis
- Bigleaf hydrangea Hydrangea macrophylla
- Rhododendron Rhododendron
- Boxwood Buxus sempervirens
- Oleander Nerium oleander
- Common ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius
- Camellia Camellia japonica