Q: I have Sago and Fan palms with shoots growing out from the base of the plant. Can I remove the shoots and replant them elsewhere? If so, how do I go about removing the shoots?
A:Â The Sago (Cycas revoluta) is not a true palm, but a cycad. It produces offshoots, sometimes called pups, at the base of the plants. They can be separated using a trowel and transplanted to another location after letting them dry for week or so to seal up the wound.
You might start them in a container in the shade or put some shade cloth over them until they are established if you plant them in the ground. The fan palm shoots are likely growing from seed that fell from nearby trees. These small plants can be moved to other locations by digging them up with the roots and replanting. They typically have small and shallow root systems so it shouldn’t be much trouble while they are young.
Peter L. Warren is the urban horticulture agent for the Pima County Cooperative Extension and the University of Arizona. Questions may be emailed to
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