Sago palm in zone 6a

[PashkaTLT]

Hello guys,

Can sago palm grow well & healthy in 6a provided I will take it inside for winter?

Last year my sago palm lost almost all its leafs, I don't know why. Maybe it just doesn't like this climate?

It was doing ok inside, just growing super slowly, but then I put it outside last year this happened (see below). As you can see, only 3 leafs left  Why could it happen? And what can I do to help it recover?

Edited April 8, 2023 by PashkaTLT

[PAPalmtrees]

yes you should put it in the ground I have one in the ground in zone 6b

[PalmatierMeg]

A sago - Cycas revoluta - is not a “palm” but a cycad, very ancient cone-bearing plants distantly related to conifers. I doubt yours can survive an NJ winter in the ground. The leaves emerge from a central caudex. Periodically the plant will shed its leaves and go into a period of dormancy. Then at a time of its choosing it will send up more leaves that unfurl much like leaves of a fern, harden off to look like palm leaves.

True palms are flowering plants related to grasses, i.e., monocots, and date from a much later era. If you want to try a palm, I suggest you start with one of the many varieties of Sabal minor. They are easy to protect when planted and love your hot, humid summers.

[Las Palmas Norte]

Yours looks so much different from my potted specimen. Mine has numerous fronds and will only flush out new ones in a good stretch of warm to hot weather with plenty watering.

[PashkaTLT]

10 hours ago, PaPalmTree said:

yes you should put it in the ground I have one in the ground in zone 6b

How do you protect it in the winter? Did you have any problems?

[PashkaTLT]

5 hours ago, Las Palmas Norte said:

Yours looks so much different from my potted specimen. Mine has numerous fronds and will only flush out new ones in a good stretch of warm to hot weather with plenty watering.

Mine was gorgeous with many fronds, before I put it outside last spring (closer to summer). Within a few months outside (may - october) it lost all but 3 fronds