Sago palm Metroxylon sagu
Sago palm (Metroxylon sagu) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Arecaceae family, native to New Guinea and the Moluccas. It grows 10–20 m (33–66 ft) tall and 8–12 m (26–39 ft) wide, wants full sun and high water, and is hardy to about 15 °C (59 °F). Space plants about 10 m (33 ft) apart.
Plan Sago palm in your garden →
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Sago palm at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Arecaceae |
| Mature height | 10–20 m (33–66 ft) |
| Mature spread | 8–12 m (26–39 ft) |
| Spacing | 10 m (33 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance high |
| Soil pH | 4–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About 15 °C (59 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 12) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 36 °C (97 °F) |
| Flowering | about 521–782 weeks after planting, for 29–47 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Low |
| Edible | Yes: trunk starch (sago), sago grubs are a delicacy |
| Native to | New Guinea and the Moluccas |
| Common in gardens of | 🇮🇩 Indonesia, 🇲🇾 Malaysia, 🇵🇭 Philippines |
Is Sago palm toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
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 palm
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and high water.
Questions about Sago palm
- How far apart should I plant Sago palm?
- About 10 m (33 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 8–12 m (26–39 ft).
- Does Sago palm need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Sago palm need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance high.
- How cold-hardy is Sago palm?
- It tolerates about 15 °C (59 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 12.
- When does Sago palm flower?
- About 521–782 weeks after planting, for 29–47 weeks.
- Is Sago palm poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
- What grows well with Sago palm?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Sago palm. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- PROSEA: Plant Resources of South-East Asia, PROSEA Foundation, Bogor
- EcoCrop crop environmental requirements, FAO
Notes and assumptions
- Clumping swamp palm; each stem is felled just before flowering for its starchy pith. Not the cycad sold as “sago palm” (Cycas revoluta).
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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