Sago Palm : Poisonous to Cats, Dogs

Sago Palm : Poisonous to Cats, Dogs

Level of toxicity: Severe

Common signs to watch for:

• Vomiting
• Diarrhea
• Lethargy
• Inappetance
• Abnormal fluid accumulation in the abdomen
• Abdominal pain
• Jaundice
• Black-tarry stool

Sago palms are naturally found in tropical/subtropical environments; they are also used as ornamental Bonsai houseplants. These palms are members of the Order Cycadacae; genera Cycads, Macrozamia, and Zamias. Examples of the cycad family include Cycad (Cycas cirinalis), Japanese cycad (Cycad revolute), Coontie plant (Zamia pumila), and Cardbord palm (Zamia furfuracea).
All parts of sago palm are considered poisonous, with the seeds (nuts) being the most toxic part of the plant. Sago palm contains cycasin, which is the primary active toxic agent resulting in severe liver failure in dogs. Ingestion results in acute gastrointestinal signs (e.g., drooling, inappetance, vomiting, diarrhea) within 15 minutes to several hours after ingestion.
Central nervous system signs (e.g., weakness, ataxia, seizures, tremors, etc.) and severe liver failure can be seen within 2-3 days post-ingestion. Clinical signs include vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, inappetance, abnormal fluid accumulation in the abdomen, abdominal pain, jaundice, and black-tarry stool. Aggressive decontamination and treatment should be initiated. Even with aggressive treatment, the survival is about 50%.

If you suspect your dog or cat ate sago palm, call your veterinarian or Pet Poison Helpline immediately for life-saving treatment recommendations.

Poison type: Plants

Alternate names: Cycads, Cycadaceae, sago, Zamias, Macrozamia, Cycas cirinalis, Japanese cycad, Cycad revolute, Coontie plant, Zamia pumila, Cardbord palm, Zamia furfuracea

Types of Palm Trees for Use as Houseplants

Types of Palm Trees for Use as Houseplants

Of the types of palm trees listed above, Phil Bergman at Junglemusic.net recommends the Lady palm trees for use as houseplants, along with Kentia palm trees and Bamboo palm trees.

Mixing Types of Palm Trees in Your Landscape Plantings

Although mention of "palm trees" conjures up an image of bright, sunny skies, not all palm trees can stand full sun (as you can see from the foregoing). If you have a sun-drenched yard but desire to grow a short variety that likes partial to full shade (for example, lady palm trees), consider planting a taller, sun-loving palm tree first (for example, Queen palm trees).

If you adopt this strategy, you’ll have to wait for the taller specimen to achieve some height before planting the shorter type of palm tree, so that the former provides a canopy for the latter. Just make sure both have sufficient cold hardiness for your area. Again, this is why success in growing palm trees is founded on one's knowledge of their cold hardiness, height and sunlight requirements. Keep these factors in mind as you continue to learn about the different types of palm trees.

Types of Palm Trees: Palms With Pinnate Leaves

Types of Palm Trees: Palms With Pinnate Leaves

Mountain cabbage palm trees (Prestoea acuminata var. Montana)
Cold hardiness: 30-32 degrees Fahrenheit
Height: 20 to 25 feet.
Sunlight requirement: filtered or partial sun
Queen palm trees (Syagrus romanzoffiana)
Cold hardiness: to 20 degrees Fahrenheit
Height: 50 feet
Sunlight requirement: full sun
Date palm trees (Phoenix dactylifera)
Cold hardiness: to 18 degrees Fahrenheit
Height: 50 feet
Sunlight requirement: full sun

Types of Palm Trees: Palms With Palmate Leaves

Types of Palm Trees: Palms With Palmate Leaves

Lady palm trees (Rhapis excelsa)
Cold hardiness: to 22 degrees Fahrenheit
Height: 4 to 8 feet.
Sunlight requirement: shade or filtered light.
Puerto Rican thatch palm trees (Coccothrinax alta)
Cold hardiness: to 28-30 degrees Fahrenheit
Height: 25 feet
Sunlight requirement: full sun
Silver saw palmetto palm trees (Acoelorrhaphe wrightii)
Cold hardiness: to 20 degrees Fahrenheit
Height: 15 to 20 feet
Sunlight requirement: full sun

How to Grow Sago Palms

Sago palms aren't palm trees at all—these attractive, low-growing plants are actually cycads. These plants are extremely slow-growing and will often put out only one new frond every year. It can easily take a sago palm five or six years to achieve its full pot-size of two feet. These plants are important in tropical landscapes and yield a distinctively Asian look to any houseplant collection.

Growing Conditions:

Light: Bright light, but avoid direct sunlight in summer.
Water: Keep soil continuously moist throughout spring and summer, and reduce watering in the winter.
Temperature: Prefers warm and humid conditions. Hardy to 50ºF, but avoid freezing drafts.
Soil: A well-drained potting mix.
Fertilizer: Fertilize in Spring and throughout growing season.

Propagation:

By seed. Most people do not attempt to propagate sago palms at home, and few home-grown plants will produce cones (the cycads version of flowers), and it takes both a male and female plant to produce viable seeds. In warmer areas with perfect conditions, sago palms may produce suckers that can be potted up individually.

Repotting:

Because they grow so slowly, sago palms will likely only need repotting every three years. In the Spring, however, gently remove plant from pot and refresh potting media to ensure continued healthy growth.

Varieties:

Sago palms are cycads, belonging to the Cycad family and the Cycas genus. Although there are about 40 species in the Cycas genus, the only one seen commonly in the United States is the C. revoluta, or common sago palm.

Grower's Tips:

In their native, subtropical environments, sago palms grow to much larger specimens, with arching fronds that easily measure four feet and often producing suckers that can be individually potted. In the home, replicate these conditions by misting frequently and providing plenty of summer warmth. Consider moving them outside in warmer months. Scale are also a considerable problem in some areas, so treat aggressively at the first sign.