Do Sago Palms Flower: Identifying Flowering Sago Palms

A Flowering Sago Palm
cycas revoluta
(Image credit: Annetka)

If you have a male sago palm flower, it will produce a long, golden, cone-like structure, somewhat reminiscent of a large pinecone. On rare occasions, males may produce multiple cones. If no female is nearby or you don't plan on propagating additional sago plants, you can simply remove this structure from the plant without causing it any harm. For those wishing to pollinate plants, you'll have to wait for the scales to open (usually in late spring) to reveal the sweet-smelling pollen inside. Then, you can either wait for natural pollination through wind and bees to take place or remove the cone and gently shake it over the receptive female plant.

Nikki Tilley
Senior Editor

Nikki Tilley has been gardening for nearly three decades. The former Senior Editor and Archivist of Gardening Know How, Nikki has also authored six gardening books.