Queen sago (Cycas circinalis)
Care, watering, light and tips for Queen sago on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Cycadaceae
- Difficulty: Moderate care
- Watering: every 7 days
- Light: Partial shade
- Temperature: 10–30 °C
- Toxicity: Toxic to pets
About Queen sago
Cycas circinalis, also known as the Queen Sago, is a striking arborescent cycad native to southern India. It features a robust trunk and crowns of large, glossy, pinnate leaves, giving it a majestic and prehistoric appearance. It is ideal for tropical or subtropical gardens, as a specimen plant, or to add an exotic touch to patios and entrances.
Native range
India and Sri Lanka
Care tips
It prefers direct sunlight or partial shade and a warm, frost-free climate. Watering should be moderate, allowing the substrate to dry slightly between waterings to prevent waterlogging, to which it is very sensitive. Use a well-drained, sandy substrate rich in organic matter. A common mistake is overwatering, which can lead to root rot and plant death.
How to save a dying Queen sago
- Warning signs
- Yellowish or brown, soft leaves; soft trunk; deformed or absent new shoots.
- First aid
- Check drainage. If waterlogged, repot into dry soil. If dry, water moderately. Move from direct sun if scorched.
- What kills it
- Overwatering and poor drainage, causing root and trunk rot. Also extreme cold and frost.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if rot hasn't affected the entire trunk. Act quickly to stop the damage.