Photo Credit: MG Mary Townsley

While sago palms bear some resemblance to true palms, they are actually primitive plants called cycads and are related to pines and other conifers. Sagos reproduce by cones or pups. Male sagos develop a tall pollen cone, while female sagos develop a basketball-sized cone that houses large orange seeds. Pups develop along the trunk of both male and female plants and if left in place lead to a branching multi-stemmed plant. Once established, sago palms are drought resistant but may not tolerate extended freeze events. New flushes of leaves appear once or twice a year. These slow growing plants can provide a striking landscape focal point, but keep in mind that all parts of the plant are toxic if ingested.