Sago palm
Cycas revoluta, zamia species (Cycadaceae)
Also called Coontie Palm, Cardboard Palm, cycads and zamias.
Cats and dogs
Toxic to cats and dogs
What makes it toxic: Cycasin.
Signs to watch for: Vomiting, melena, icterus, increased thirst, hemorrhagic gastroenteritis, bruising, coagulopathy, liver damage, liver failure, death.
Source: ASPCA entry "Sago Palm", checked October 3, 2026.
Light
- Low light 3+ mol
- Medium light 6+ mol Copes
- Bright indirect 10+ mol Best
- Direct sun 12+ mol
Give it bright but indirect or filtered light; NC State suggests about 4-6 hours of filtered sun a day indoors and warns harsh sun can damage the fronds. Wisconsin says it does best with abundant bright light but will put up with moderate light.
Direct sun: best kept out of it.
On our scale it grows well from about 10 mol/m²/day and holds on down to roughly 1.1 (how these numbers are set).
Care
Care level: Easy. Water: Let the soil dry out between waterings (except while new leaves are emerging); it is drought tolerant and overwatering or poor drainage is a common killer.
Not a true palm but a cycad; very slow growing and may only push new leaves every year or two indoors (Wisconsin).
Pet-safe plants for similar light
- African violet bright indirect light
- Boston fern bright indirect light
- Cape primrose (Streptocarpus) bright indirect light
- Christmas cactus bright indirect light
- Earth star (Cryptanthus) bright indirect light
- Friendship plant (Pilea involucrata) bright indirect light