Sago palms are a wishlist item for many plant collectors. Native to the warm regions of Japan and China, these striking plants can grow large indoors with the right care routine. If you're thinking about adding a sago palm to your indoor jungle, here are some facts you should know:
Light Requirements
Sago palms do best in bright but indirect light. Direct sunlight can cause the foliage to burn or wilt, so either using a sheer curtain or avoiding the hot afternoon sun is best. Opt for a bright East, West or South-facing window for the ideal lighting environment. In warm weather, you can move the plant outdoors to a partially shaded area like a porch or patio.
Temperature and Humidity
Sago palms thrive in warm, humid conditions. They cannot survive in the cold: frost will damage the leaves and temperatures below freezing will likely kill the plant entirely. When you grow a sago palm indoors, try to protect it from cold drafts and airflow from windows or air conditioning units. The more regular you can keep the temperature, the healthier the plant will be.
Sago palms love humidity, so consider a portable humidifier or pebble tray to increase the ambient moisture around the plant. Clustering plants closely together is another way to maintain a higher humidity, but keeping them away from direct sun and drying air vents should be enough to keep them comfortable.
Toxicity
One of the most important things to know about sago palms is their toxicity. When ingested, any part of the plant is highly toxic to humans and animals. If you have pets at home, keep your sago palm well away from them to avoid risk of illness or death. Luckily, these plants are slow growers and fit well on tables or tall plant stands out of reach.
Is a sago palm right for you? Consider these key facts if you're thinking about adding this plant to your collection.
About the Author
Judy Szablak
With over 30 years in the industry, Realtor Judy Szablak has been on national television for her real estate expertise on the HGTV Network, featured on Martha Stewart Living Radio "Morning Living” , NPR radio as an expert real estate panelist, It’s Relevant News channel, and quoted in the Wall Street Journal for her in depth knowledge of Fairfield County Connecticut real estate.
She was also on the local NPR radio station (WSHU) as a Fairfield County CT real estate expert. Judy has provided multiple online respected news sources with her real estate expertise including The Daily Easton, The Daily Weston, The Daily Fairfield, The Daily Stamford and The Daily Greenwich, as well as in print in the New York Post. She is a weekly Real Estate Columnist for WestportNow.com, another real estate column "Real Estate With Judy” is syndicated through Hearst CT Media Online and seen in The Connecticut Post, The Danbury News-Times, The Stamford Advocate, The Greenwich Time, The Hour, Fairfield Citizen, Westport News, Darien News, New Canaan News and the Wilton Villager.
Judy is also the author of the book, The Art of Buying or Selling a Home, available at all major book retailers. Additionally, Judy has been nationally recognized in a number of national real estate trade magazines, some with distribution to over 1 million members. She was featured in Real Estate Today as early as 1994 for her commitment to, and implementation of technology in real estate. Judy appeared in the Certified Residential Specialist Magazine, as she provided advice on marketing strategies and ethics in the article titled "Marketing Makeovers.”
Judy was also featured in REALTOR® Magazine, regarding image enhancement for Realtors. She was again featured in REALTOR® Magazine, in an article on "Achieving Flow” and operating at optimal peak performance. In another article in the same publication, Judy offered guidance to fellow real estate professionals as she explored the topic of implementing and maintaining personal websites. She has appeared in The Council of Residential Specialists Magazine, which featured her ideas regarding technology. Additionally, Judy authored an article on marketing and technology for the Certified Residential Specialist (CRS) Online Magazine. On two occasions, in 2015 and 2017, she appeared as a featured agent in Top Agent Magazine. I have a few other websites- www.TheCtrealtyBlog.com www.CtHomesAndRealEstate.com www.BestWestportHomes.com www.ThePetitePowerhouse.com www,SzablakConsulting.com
