Sago palms from pups The sago palm plant is one of the most
primitive living seed plants around today. You can recognize it
by its rough trunk, topped with feathered rugged leaves.
Although nicknamed sago palm, it is actually related to conifers
and the ginkgo tree. According to Lynn McKamey of Rhapis
Gardens, all cone bearing plants trace their origins back to the
ancient flora of the early Mesozoic era. They are called “living
fossils.” Cycads have changed little in the last 200 million
years. You can have your own “living fossil” because this plant
is one of the easiest plants to grow indoors or out. They can
tolerate temperatures from 15 to 110 degrees. They accept bright
interior light or full sun. They also will tolerate some
neglect. Sagos live a long time. A beautiful 220-year-old
specimen is on display at the Royal Botanic Garden in England.
To propagate, you can plant from seed, but better to plant a
SAGO offset called a “pup.” Cycads have both male and female
plants. In our area, female sagos begin