Cycas revoluta - Japanese cycad - 15 cm pot - Height 45–55 cm

Cycas revoluta prefers bright light, with a few hours of direct sunlight each day.

In its natural habitat in southern Japan and subtropical islands, it grows on sunny slopes and well-exposed rocky areas. Indoors, it thrives near a south- or west-facing window, where it receives direct light for at least three to four hours a day. It tolerates bright indirect light, but its already very slow growth is noticeably affected.

In summer, a slightly open window or a gradual transition outdoors, sheltered from strong winds, will be very beneficial. In winter, place it as close as possible to a source of natural light to compensate for the reduced hours of sunshine.

Important tip 🌿Avoid moving your Cycas abruptly from a dark place into full sun: the fronds, unaccustomed to the light intensity, may develop scorch marks. Acclimate it gradually over two to three weeks.For poorly lit rooms, our full-spectrum grow light for plants faithfully mimics natural light, without harmful UV rays.

Cycas revoluta is highly toxic to dogs and cats and dangerous to young children.

All parts of the plant contain cycasin, a toxin that is especially concentrated in the seeds. The ASPCA (American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) classifies Cycas, which it calls the "Sago Palm," as a toxic plant for dogs and cats: ingestion can cause vomiting, liver damage, and even death.

If a dog or cat ingests it, consult a veterinarian immediately, without waiting for symptoms to appear. In young children, any ingestion should be taken seriously and requires immediate medical attention.

What precautions should you take on a daily basis?

Place your Cycas revoluta in a location completely inaccessible to animals and young children: on a high surface, in a closed room, or on a surface they cannot reach. Wear gloves when repotting or pruning.

If you live with a cat, a dog, or young children, opt for a real palm tree classified as non-toxic by the ASPCA, such as the Kentia, Chamaedorea, or Areca.

Cycas revoluta leaves most often turn yellow due to overwatering, insufficient light, or a nutrient deficiency.

• If the leaves turn yellow and become limp, the problem is generally caused by overwatering, which leads to the early stages of root rot.
• If the leaves gradually turn yellow while remaining firm and dry, the plant is often lacking light or fertilizer.
• If the yellowing is accompanied by small light-colored spots, a dull appearance, or fine webbing, it may be a spider mite infestation, which is common indoors, especially in dry conditions.

In Cycas revoluta, it is also very common for the oldest outer fronds to turn yellow and then gradually brown: this is a natural process related to the plant's renewal cycle. A crown of dead fronds at the base does not mean that the plant is in danger, as long as the center produces new green fronds.

Important tip 🌿One or two old leaves turning yellow from time to time is completely normal.However, you should be concerned if several leaves turn yellow quickly or if the phenomenon spreads to the young leaves.

In the event of a spider mite infestation, choose our biological spider mite control solutions, which are effective and plant-friendly.

The Cycas revoluta is ideally repotted in spring, between March and May, when growth actively resumes.

Repotting is necessary when:

• roots emerge through the drainage holes,
• growth slows down,
• or the substrate compacts too quickly after watering.

As a general rule, repotting every 2 years is sufficient for an adult plant.

The Cycas revoluta is an extremely slow-growing species: it can remain in the same pot for several years without suffering, making it one of the least demanding plants in terms of repotting. Only repot it when it is truly necessary, as it prefers to be slightly cramped.

Choose a pot 2 to 3 cm wider than the old one, which must have drainage holes. Our transparent pots with holes for observing the roots after repotting are ideal: their transparency allows you to easily monitor root recovery without disturbing the plant.

We recommend our premium substrates made in France, designed for drainage, oxygenation, and healthy growth.

1. Gently remove the plant from its pot, tapping the pot if necessary.
2. Gently untangle the roots if they are very compacted, without breaking them.
3. Place a layer of substrate, position the plant upright, and fill in without burying the crown.

Important tip 🌿After repotting, water to help the substrate settle. Repotting every two years is sufficient.

Cycas revoluta should be fertilized every 2 to 3 weeks from March to October, using a liquid fertilizer diluted in the watering water.

From November to February, reduce fertilization significantly or stop it altogether. This is the plant's dormant period.

Properly dosed fertilization promotes:

• denser, more vibrant foliage,
• steady growth,
• and greater plant resilience.

Cycas revoluta is naturally a very slow-growing plant: there is no need to over-fertilize to speed things up. Moderate, regular fertilization during the growing season is more than enough to maintain beautiful, deep green, glossy fronds.

👉 For best results, we recommend our liquid houseplant fertilizer with a graduated dropper, which is easy to dose and delivers quickly visible results.

Important tip 🌿Never fertilize dry soil: this could burn the roots. Water first, then apply the fertilizer 2 to 3 days later.

Water the Cycas revoluta when the substrate has dried out thoroughly, and even less frequently in winter. Use room-temperature water.

How do you know when to water?

The finger test remains the most reliable method: push your index finger 2 to 3 cm into the substrate. If the substrate is dry, it's time to water.

The Cycas revoluta has a fleshy stipe and thickened roots that naturally store water, much like a semi-succulent plant. This storage capacity makes it one of the most drought-tolerant plants: occasional underwatering will not cause it any harm, unlike chronic overwatering.

Important tip: If in doubt, wait rather than watering. Plants tolerate a lack of water better than an excess, which causes root rot.

Cycas revoluta is propagated by separating basal offsets, ideally in spring between March and May, when the plant is in its peak growth phase.

Propagation by offset (basal shoot)When the adult plant produces offsets at the base of the stem, these shoots can be carefully removed with a stainless steel straight-tip pruning shear for a clean and precise cut. Each offset should measure at least 5 cm in diameter to have a good chance of rooting.

1. Remove the offset from the base of the stem by making a clean cut with the stainless steel pruning shear, leaving as little damage as possible to the parent plant.
2. Remove the fronds from the offset and let the cut surface air-dry for 48 hours before placing it in a growing medium, in one of our clear pots to monitor root development.
3. Place it in a bright room at 22-25°C, keep the growing medium slightly moist without overwatering, and avoid stagnant humidity around the offset.

Use our all-purpose growing medium enriched with essential nutrients to house the offset once its first roots have formed. Water propagation is not suitable for Cycas revoluta.

Important tip 🌿The rooting of a Cycas revoluta offset takes a very long time: allow between three and six months before the first roots appear. Success is confirmed when new fronds begin to form from the center of the offset.