Actual size and flowering may vary slightly based on season.
Sago Palm
Sago Palm is not a true palm but a cycad, an ancient plant with a stiff, symmetrical rosette of dark green, feather-shaped fronds. It grows very slowly, so it rarely outgrows its spot, and it thrives in the shade that many desert plants dislike. It makes a lush, tropical-looking accent for a shaded entry, courtyard, raised planter or large pot. Give it regular water and protection from hot afternoon sun.
Best for: shaded entries and courtyards, raised planters, spots under a tree canopy, and large containers.
It does best in part or full shade, which suits shaded entries, courtyards and spots under a tree canopy. Too much sun scalds the fronds yellow or brown.
It grows so slowly that it can live in a large pot or raised planter for years. A container also lets you give it richer soil than native desert soil.
Its stiff, symmetrical rosette makes a focal point by a front door or driveway. It drops little litter and only needs dead fronds removed.
Full afternoon sun burns it, and poor, alkaline desert soil is not ideal. All parts are poisonous, so keep it away from dogs and areas where children play.
- Sago to sago10 ft apart
Plant in late spring or early summer, when warm soil helps roots grow. Water thoroughly at planting, then often for the first few weeks, and slowly stretch the time between waterings.
Water about every 5 to 10 days in summer, every 10 to 14 days in spring and fall, and every 2 to 3 weeks in winter. It survives dry spells but grows best in slightly moist soil.
Give it part or full shade. Too much sun scalds the fronds yellow or brown, and very deep shade makes it thin and leggy.
Remove only dead or damaged fronds, cut close to the trunk, and leave the green fronds on. Wear gloves, since the leaflets have sharp points.
All parts are poisonous to dogs, cats and horses, especially the seeds. Plant it where pets cannot reach it.
Drainage test first. Dig the hole and fill it with water. If water is still sitting in the hole a day later, you likely hit caliche, clay or hard soil, so fix the drainage before planting. If it drains very fast, the soil is sandy. Standing water around roots is a common reason new plants fail.
Weed cloth. Cut it away from the planting hole and where the roots will spread. Remove any plastic sheeting completely, since it keeps water and air out of the soil.
Rock or decomposed granite with no soil underneath. Bring in soil close in texture to your native soil, mix it with the soil below, and build up enough depth for roots before planting.
If you can break through. Use a breaker bar, pick, or jackhammer. Dig through the caliche and break out the solid chunks. Backfill with the soil you dug out, with no compost or manure in the hole. Confirm drainage before planting.
If you cannot break through. Dig narrow holes through the hard layer beside the root ball, not under it, and refill them with the same soil, not gravel. If it still will not drain, plant on a low mound of the same soil.
Root ball. Check the outside edges for any roots circling around. Loosen or cut those so they grow outward. Do not break up the center of the root ball.
Depth. The top of the root ball should sit at or just slightly above the surrounding soil level. Planting too deep can lead to rot and kill the plant.
Drip emitters. At planting, put the emitters on the root ball, on different sides of the plant. After about 2 months, move them to the outer edge of the root ball. Over the first year, add emitters farther out toward the edge of the branches as roots grow. Once a plant is rooted, never water only at the trunk.
Is sago palm poisonous to dogs and cats?
Yes, very. All parts are poisonous to dogs, cats and horses, and the seeds are the most toxic. It can cause vomiting, liver damage and death. If a pet chews it, call your vet right away.
Is sago palm a real palm?
No. It is a cycad, an ancient plant group found in fossils from the age of dinosaurs. It makes cones instead of flowers, on separate male and female plants.
Does sago palm need shade in Phoenix?
Yes. It does best in part or full shade here. Too much sun scalds the fronds yellow or brown, and deep shade makes it thin and leggy.
How often should I water it?
It needs more water than most desert plants. Once rooted, water about every 5 to 10 days in summer, every 10 to 14 days in spring and fall, and every 2 to 3 weeks in winter.
How fast does it grow?
It grows very slowly and usually puts out one flush of new fronds a year. It can reach 5 to 10 feet tall after many years, but rarely gets that tall in Phoenix.
How cold can it take?
It is listed as hardy to about 15 to 20°F. Cover it with frost cloth on hard freeze nights.
What soil does it need?
Give it well-draining soil that is not too alkaline. Desert soil is poor for it, so mix in compost when you plant, or grow it in a container.
Should I cut the fronds?
Only remove dead or damaged fronds, cut close to the trunk. Leave green fronds on, since they feed the plant.
Are the leaves sharp?
Yes. The leaflets end in sharp points. Wear gloves and long sleeves when you trim it.
Can I grow sago palm in a pot?
Yes. It is a classic container plant and grows so slowly that it stays in the same large pot for years.
Is sago palm messy?
No. It drops very little litter, so it stays tidy in a shaded entry or courtyard.
Sago Palm for sale in Arizona, delivered to you
Sago Palm is an ancient cycad from southern Japan, grown for its glossy, feather-shaped fronds and neat, symmetrical form. Below is what to expect from it in the Valley, from shade and water to size, soil, frost and safety around pets.
Sourced from trusted Arizona growers and delivered directly to your door, job site, or property. We deliver across the Valley and to nearby towns, and quote delivery anywhere else in Arizona.
Does sago palm need shade in Phoenix?
Yes. It does best in part or full shade in the Valley. Direct afternoon sun scalds the fronds, while very deep shade makes it thin.
Is sago palm toxic to pets?
Yes. All parts are poisonous to dogs, cats and horses, especially the seeds. Plant it where pets cannot chew it, and call a vet right away if they do.
How often do you water a sago palm in Arizona?
It needs regular deep water, most of all in summer. Water about every 5 to 10 days in summer, every 10 to 14 days in spring and fall, and every 2 to 3 weeks in winter.
How big does a sago palm get?
It grows very slowly, eventually 3 to 10 feet tall and 3 to 6 feet wide. It rarely reaches its full height in Phoenix.
What soil does a sago palm need?
It needs well-draining soil that is not highly alkaline. Mix compost into desert soil at planting, or grow it in a large container.
Growing sago palm in a pot
It is a classic container plant. Its slow growth lets it stay in one large pot for years, in rich, well-draining soil.
We deliver across the Valley, from Phoenix, Scottsdale and Mesa out to San Tan Valley, Maricopa and Casa Grande, and up to Prescott, Sedona, Payson and Globe. See delivery areas and rates.