How Do You Care for Sago Palm Trees?

Jason Hollinger/CC-BY 2.0

The most effective way to take care of a sago palm tree is to ensure that it has access to plenty of light and that the soil in the pot is not overly moist, as the plant is quite intolerant of excessive watering. As long as these basic conditions are met, most sago palm trees will remain healthy.

Sago palms are very easy to care for, but even these plants can develop problems. If leaves start turning yellow, then there may be underlying issues that need to be addressed.

It is important to note, however, that yellow leaves can be a perfectly normal part of the plant’s natural cycle. Older leaves will often turn yellow, followed by brown, as part of a nutrient saving practice adopted by plants of this species.

Yellow leaves can be cause for concern if new leaves display the color, as this could indicate that the plant is not receiving enough nutrients. It could also be a sign of bad planting, if the plant is new, or possibly a pest infestation.

Yellowing can be treated quickly and easily in most cases. Providing the plant with standard plant fertilizer can cure any lack of nutrients, while re-planting in a larger pot can also be a solution to poor planting. Placing the plant outside can be a good way to get rid of pests, as natural predators can be left to do their work.

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