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I know of a few cycads. Of the most popular I know of, is the Cycas revoluta(King Sago). I have been to Florida and southern Texas, and this well known Cycad is very popular in the southern U.S.! I was in St. Augustine, Florida back in June and saw hundreds of Sago's in the vicinity! Some specimens I saw were over 15ft (5m) tall with large trunks! I know the King Sago is hardy throughout zone 8b-11 and tolerates a minimum temperature of about 15F. One of the most cold hardy of all Cycads, is the Cycas panzihauenses. I'm not sure if I spelled the species name correctly, but the actual spelling is quite similiar . The King Sago only grows successfully in the southern most areas of the U.S. including Texas, Florida, as well as parts of Louisiana and southern areas of Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, and South Carolina. I'm not for sure how popular it is in southern California? For Cycad enthusiasts who know what their doing and live in zone 8a, may want to try growing the Sago in their area. Cycas panz. is said to be cold hardy to 0F, but probably grows best in zones 7b - 10.

Most people think a Cycad is a type of palm tree. Thats a common misconception, a Cycad is closely related to a conifer. The Cycad is in no way similiar to a palm tree besides the pinnate appearence of its leaves. Cycads were around over 250 million years ago, way before palm trees came around. The actual fronds of a Cycad are made up of needles, similiar to pine needles. Most Cycads produce offspring called "pups", which form in the center of the Cycad. The pups may be removed and planted in soil with the top part of the pup sticking out of the ground! There are several species of Cycads, but Cycas revoluta seems to be the most popular. I have one in a pot that I set outside during the summer and take inside during the winter. Cycas revoluta makes an easy to grow house plant, which only needs watered once a week. C. revoluta is also very drought tolerant and can grow in full sun or full shade!

I have a larger indoor King sago and a bonsai sago. I love it when they throw up their fronds. They grow and open so fast. What does a 'pup' look like??

Its hard to explain what they look like...Their "alien like" in appearence. Pups form in the center of the Cycad on the conical bud. You will know them when you see them. They can be pinched off and planted.