How to Plant Sago Palm Seeds

Learn How to Plant Sago Palm Seeds the right way and grow this popular houseplant famous for its feathery foliage and easy maintenance!

The Sago Palms (Cycas revoluta) are not real palms. These tropical and subtropical low-growing plants belong to the Cycad family. Native to the warm climates, these palms are usually grown as houseplants. Though sago palms are grown through cuttings, you can also propagate them by seeds as well.

Sago palms or King sago palms are exceptionally slow-growing plants, producing only one new frond each year. The sago palm needs five-six years to attain a full pot size of 2 feet. If you’re wondering about how to plant sago palm seeds, then this article is going to help you a lot!

How to Propagate Sago Palm from Seeds

1. Selection of Sago Salm Seeds

You can obtain sago palm tree seeds from a nursery or collect them from flowering trees in early fall. Always wear gloves before touching a sago palm, as all parts of the plant are toxic. Its fruit has a similar size, similar to a walnut, with an orange or red color. To check which seeds are pollinated, place them in a bowl of warm water. Seeds that begin to float (as they lack endosperm, necessary for reproduction) discard them. Pick seeds that sink in water, as they are good for use.

2. Cleaning Sago Palm Seeds

Soak the seeds in water for 24-hours, as they’re are wrapped with a fruit wall, which should be taken off before planting. If you find it hard to remove the coating, submerge them again for a longer period. To prevent bacterial growth, wash the seeds in a solution (10-parts water to 1-part bleach) and clean them with water.

3. Planting Sago Palm Seeds

Plant the seeds in well-drained, sandy soil, using a 4-inch diameter container, sowing them sidelong in the soil. Retain one-third of the seeds above the soil and level it by tamping. When done, moisten the soil with water. Lastly, cover the pot with a plastic wrap to maintain the moisture.

Sago Palm Seeds Germination

Sago seeds start to germinate in the temperature between 70-100 F (21-37 C). Maintain the moisture of the soil during the entire germination phase. You can also place the pot on a heating mat to supply a constant temperature. The seeds will begin to germinate in about one to three months. When they do, remove the plastic wrap and move the pot to a warmer place with 75F (23 C) temperature.

Transplant the plant to a large container, when you notice at least three to four sets of leaves emerging. Though young palm seedlings do not need fertilizer in the beginning growth stage, but start nourishing the plant with a liquid fertilizer when it reaches its active growth phase.

Also Read: How to Grow Sago Palm in a Container