Cycas Revoluta: Plant Information

The Cycas Revoluta is one of the many popular plants that we have at our garden centre. Also known as the Sago Palm, this evergreen is found in many gardens. Although it is called a Sago Palm, it actually is not a palm at all! Today will be diving deeper into getting to know the Cycad Revoluta through some plant information as well as how to take care of them.

Origin

Although the Cycas Revoluta is a very popular plant all across South Africa, it is actually indigenous to Japan. To be more specific it is native to southern Japan, including the Ryukyu Islands. They are known as one of the oldest plants dating back to over 200 million years.

Cycas Revoluta Leaf

Description

The Cycas Revoluta is a slow-growing evergreen that can identified by its long thin leaves with quite prickly tips. The feather-like leaves are vibrant green that grow symmetrically from its thick trunk. The trunk is dark brown in colour. Although the Cycas Revoluta is known as a slow grower, its leaves can grow quite quickly. Leaves ca be produced up to three times a year.

Even though they are not quick growers, they can grow quite tall. The Cycas Revoluta can reach a height of about 3 Metres! Although this would take quite a few years, it definitely is quite the sight.

These evergreen shrubs are quite toxic and should never be kept near inquisitive pets and children.

Large Cycas Revoluta

Plant Care

Maintaining and caring for your Cycas Revoluta can be quite easy as they are very hardy and need little water. They can tolerate cold weather conditions as well as drought. It is best to water your cycas once a week in the summer and every two weeks in the winter.

The Cycas Revoluta might need well-draining soil, and this means that its best to use sandy soil. The sandy soil assists in drainage whilst keeping the soil moist enough.

Your plant is adjustable to its light requirement. Many that live in colder climates have made use of their Sago Palms as indoor plants where many that live in warmer climates have planted theirs in full sun. We as South African’s tend to plant our palms outside and rarely use them as indoor plants as they enjoy warm climates.

When trying to give your Cycas a bit of a boost, a 7:1:3 fertilizer or one even Bio Ocean that can be purchased at our garden centre.

Cycas Revoluta Image

Interesting Facts

  • The Cycas Revoluta is also known as a living fossil.
  • Cycas are not related to other genera of cycads.
  • Male plants are allergenic where female plants are less so.
  • The inner bark of the Cycas Revoluta was used as a food source during times of famine in Japan.
  • This plant contains neurotoxins that can paralyze or even kill animals and humans.
  • The male Sago Palm grows longer leaves than the female.

As we can see, the Cycas revoluta is not only known for its unique qualities, but for the many uses it also has.

For more information about the Cycas Revoluta, be sure to visit Bergmann’s Garden Centre.