Sago palm care guideCycas revoluta

Cycad; slow-growing; toxic. Ranked #65 of Europe's most-searched houseplants.

Sago palm (Cycas revoluta) — a healthy specimen photographed indoors
Scientific name
Cycas revoluta
Origin
Southern Japan
Difficulty
Easy
Light
Bright / direct light
Watering (summer)
every 7 to 10 days
Watering (winter)
every 14 to 21 days
Humidity
50-60%
Pet safety
Toxic to cats and dogs

WateringWhen and how much water

Water Sago palm when the top 2 to 3 cm of soil feel dry to the touch. In summer that's typically every 7 to 10 days; in winter slow down to every 14 to 21 days. Use room-temperature water and let any excess drain — never leave the pot sitting in standing water.

The real schedule depends on three things the calendar can't see: the actual light at the plant, the pot's size and material (terracotta dries faster than glazed ceramic), and your local humidity. Botanicaly's app retunes the schedule from those signals on every reminder.

LightHow bright a spot it needs

Sago palm is bright / direct light: needs several hours of direct sun. Turn the pot every week so it grows evenly. The ideal lux range is 10,000 - 50,000 lux. In practical terms, place it directly in front of a south or southwest window, or 30 cm from an east window.

Pet safetyToxic to pets

Toxic to pets. The plant contains cycasin (severe — liver and nervous system damage), which causes oral irritation, drooling, and vomiting if chewed. Keep Sago palm out of reach of pets, or pick a non-toxic alternative like Spider plant, Calathea, or Boston fern.

Get the personalised schedule

Botanicaly tunes water, light, and care reminders for Sago palm based on your home's actual conditions. Free on iOS and Android.

Download Botanicaly

FAQCommon questions

How often should I water a Sago palm?

Water your Sago palm (Cycas revoluta) when the top 2 to 3 cm of soil feel dry to the touch. In summer, that's typically every 7 to 10 days; in winter, slow down to every 14 to 21 days. Botanicaly's app tunes this further based on your home's actual light, pot size, and local weather.

How much light does a Sago palm need?

Sago palm is bright / direct light: needs several hours of direct sun. Turn the pot every week so it grows evenly. The ideal lux range is 10,000 - 50,000 lux. In practical terms, place it directly in front of a south or southwest window, or 30 cm from an east window.

Is Sago palm safe for cats and dogs?

The plant contains cycasin (severe — liver and nervous system damage), which causes oral irritation, drooling, and vomiting if chewed. Keep Sago palm out of reach of pets, or pick a non-toxic alternative like Spider plant, Calathea, or Boston fern.

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