How to Prune Sego Palms

Sago (Cycas revoluta) is really a cycad and not a palm and belongs in the family Cycadaceae. It is an old species, surviving since dinosaurs walked the planet. Plants have a slow growth habit and can take about 50 years to reach their mature height of 12 feet. The sago palm grows well throughout U.S. Department of Agriculture Plant Hardiness Zones 8 through 10. The pinnate foliage, attached to a thick trunk, is glossy, dark green and the stiff leaves have a rigid center rib. Pruning is only necessary to remove dead or insect-infested foliage.

Safety glasses

Sunglasses

Gloves

Long-sleeved shirt

Hand pruners

Loppers

Plastic bag

Alcohol

Bleach

Wear protective eyewear and clothing when pruning sago palms, especially if trimming away scale-infested foliage. The leaf tips are relatively sharp and its low growing habit makes pruning relatively difficult, as you have to crawl under the plant. Consider wearing safety glasses or sunglasses, gloves and a long-sleeved shirt.

Prune the leaves using hand pruners or loppers. Bottom leaves that require pruning will be easier to get at using hand pruners, whereas loppers will easily reach top foliage.

Trim off yellowing or brown leaves. New foliage does not grow back on pruned areas of the trunk. Cut the leaf off where it attaches to the trunk.

Prune away leaves that are infested with insects such as scale even after it had been treated with insecticides. In certain areas of the country, cycad aulacaspis scale is problematic, severely infesting sago palms. Prune off infected leaves where they attach to the trunk.

Place scale-infested, pruned foliage inside a plastic bag for disposal. This keeps the insects contained and unable to spread throughout the garden.

Disinfect pruning equipment blades after using them on infected sago palms. Wipe them off with alcohol or bleach, so they do not transfer diseases to other plants.

Sago palms grow best planted in full sun and in well-drained soils. Planting in wet sites causes plants to develop root rot and die.

Sago palms work well used as specimens, or grown in containers as a patio or pool plant.

Treat insect infestations with a product specifically designed for use on sago palms, applied according to label instructions. Diagnose and treat any problems as soon as noticed, to keep plants healthy.

Plant the sago in an area that allows the plant to reach its mature height without crowding. Proper air circulation cuts down on insects becoming problematic.

Do not trim off the top portion of the sago trunk thinking it will branch out. Trimming off a main portion of the trunk area causes the plant to die.

All parts of the sago palm are poisonous. Keep seeds and foliage away from children and pets.