How to Plant Sago Palms From Seeds
The sago Palm (cycas revoluta) is not actually a palm tree, but a cycad. According to University of Berkeley, cycads are a rare group of seed plants. The sago palm is also referred to as the Japanese sago palm, and the funeral palm. Sago palms are slow-growing, evergreen plants that grow to about 10 to 12 feet in height. They can be planted outdoors, or in containers, and make good bonsai plants. The sago palm is a native plant to Japan, and is hardy in USDA zones 8 to 10. Plant a sago palm in a bright, sun-filled location, and make sure it's given fast-draining, preferably sandy soil. Does this Spark an idea?
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Things You'll Need
- Sago palm seeds
- Planting cells
- Growing medium
- Plant sprayer
- Irrigation tray
- Spoon
Instructions
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Soak the sago palm seeds in water for approximately 12 hours. Discard any of the floating seeds. (Floating seeds will likely not germinate)
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Place sterilized sand, or equal amounts of sterilized perlite and peat moss mixed together, into individual planting cells. Keep the soil within 1/2 inch of the top of the rim. Firm down the soil in each cell until it's well packed.
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Mist the surface of the soil in the planting cells with water until the soil is visibly well moistened. Plant one or two sago palm tree seeds per cell. Make sure you place them horizontally in the soil. (Plant them with a flat side facing up).
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Press the sago palm seeds firmly into the soil using the back of a spoon or a small block of wood. Each seed should be buried in the soil about 1/3 to 1/2 its thickness.
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Spray the surface of the soil in each of the cells using a fine mist of water. Make sure the soil has been thoroughly moistened.
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Place the planted cells into an irrigation tray, or similar container. Put the tray where the temperature will remain consistently between 75 and 90 degrees F. Keep the the soil on the moist side by spraying with water as needed. Germination of sago palm seeds typically begins within 2 to 3 months. Transplant the sago palm seedlings when they each have at least one set of leaves.
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Tips & Warnings
If you aren't using fresh sago palm seeds, place them into water and let them soak for 24 hours.
If you cannot plant fresh sago palm seeds right away, place them in a lidded container. Put the container in a cool location (between the temperatures of 55 and 60 degrees F.) until your intended planting date.
Wear gardening gloves when handling sago palm seeds.
Do not allow children, or animals, to handle or digest any parts of the sago palm. All portions of this plant are considered highly toxic.
