Sago Palms in Winter

Question

We have two sago palms that are mature (about 6 years old) that we transplanted outside this spring and they have done beautifully.

I am wondering what we need to do to them to prepare them for the winter. We live on the eastern coast in Virginia and many people around here seem to wrap their sagos in burlap, as we can have a few weeks of low teen temperatures. Is that necessary? What would be the best way to make sure they will live through the winter?

Answer 1

Wrapping them can help, but only if it is for short spurts of cold. This article will help for future reference: https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/frost-how-to-protect-your-plants.htm
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/plant-problems/environmental/protect-plants-in-freeze.htm

Many people don't realize this, but sagos aren't actually palms at all but cycads. These plants are extremely hardy, surviving both heat and cold well. In fact, during summer the plant tolerates drought-like conditions while in winter it is cold hardy to 20 degrees F. Your neck of the woods doesn't usually experience harsh winters, as northern climates do. Unless it's grown in a pot (which should be brought indoors or wrapped) or located in excessively windy areas, there's little you need to do over winter. It should handle the cold just fine. In fact, the plant may only exhibit slight browning from the weather but this can easily be remedied through pruning.