Overview

Cycas revoluta is a tufted palms in the genus Cycas, part of the Cycadaceae family, with evergreen foliage. It typically grows around 1-1.5 metres tall and 1-1.5 metres wide, reaching full size in around 20-50 years. Cycas revoluta grows best in partial shade, and tolerates loam soils and acid and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H3. Suggested uses include architectural and patio and container plants. It is native to China (Fujian) and Japan (Ryukyu Islands).

About

Cycas revoluta is a cycad commonly known as the Japanese sago palm that produces a tufted, evergreen crown and is used as an architectural or container plant. It reaches about 1–1.5 metres in height and spread over many decades. Plants are slow to mature, typically taking 20–50 years to reach their full size.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Cycas revoluta

About the genus

Cycas is a genus of cycad, and the only genus in the family Cycadaceae with all other genera of cycad being within the Zamiaceae family. Cycas circinalis, a species endemic to India, was the first cycad species to be described in western literature, and is the type species of the genus.

Wikipedia contributors, "Cycas", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Cycas

In the garden

Cycas revoluta is a cycad native to China (Fujian) and Japan (Ryukyu Islands). It grows as a compact, tufted plant with an evergreen crown and is often cultivated for its strong, architectural form rather than rapid growth. Mature specimens occupy roughly 1–1.5 metres both in height and spread. Position plants in partial shade on a south- or east-facing aspect where they are sheltered from prevailing winds. They prefer loam that is moist but well drained and will tolerate acid to neutral soils. The UK hardiness rating H3 denotes a borderline species in British conditions, so place it where frost exposure is limited; potted plants can be moved into a conservatory or greenhouse for winter protection. Use Cycas revoluta as an architectural focal point in a sheltered border, or grow it on patios and terraces in containers so it can be shifted under glass when needed. Its slow growth means size changes are gradual, so allow decades rather than seasons for a specimen to reach its mature 1–1.5 metre proportions.

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Cycas

Sunlight

Partial shade

Soil type

Loam

Soil pH

Acid, Neutral

Soil moisture

Moist but well-drained

Aspect

South-facing, East-facing

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness

H3

Plant details

Cycas revoluta size, habit and characteristics

Plant type

Palms, Conservatory Greenhouse

Habit

Tufted

Foliage

Evergreen

Height

1-1.5 metres

Spread

1-1.5 metres

Time to full height

20-50 years

Suggested uses

Architectural, Patio and container plants

Native to

China (Fujian), Japan (Ryukyu Islands)

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Cycas revoluta

Propagation

Seed, Suckers

Pest resistance

Generally pest-free outdoors, may be susceptible to glasshouse red spider mite under glass

Disease resistance

Generally disease-free

Frequently asked questions