How to prune a sago palm

How to prune a sago palm

1. 01

   Choose what to remove

   Limit pruning to dead, dying or cold-damaged fronds and, where relevant, a spent cone or basal growth. Healthy Cycas revoluta needs no routine pruning.

   Remove fully dead or unsafe foliage to clear the plant and let a new healthy center growth flush be seen. Pruning is not a method for making a slow-growing cycad branch or grow faster.

2. 02

   Prune at the right time

   After cold injury, wait until the danger of frost has passed before removing damaged fronds because they can continue protecting lower foliage. Prune later when the damage is clearly dead.

3. 03

   Make one clean cut

   Cut a dead frond close to the base of its leaf stalk without damaging living trunk tissue. Avoid removing healthy upward or horizontal fronds, and use a tool suited to the stem size.

4. 04

   When pruning will not help

   There is no routine shaping requirement, and removing too many live fronds can reduce useful foliage. Leave the crown and new center growth intact.

5. 05

   Care for the plant after pruning

   After removing damaged foliage, retain bright, well-drained growing conditions and protect the crown while waiting for healthy new growth. Good general care is all the plant needs after cold damage.