Sago Palm Frond Browning: Cold Injury or Overwatering

Two Scenarios for Whole-Frond Browning

Small sago palm with entire fronds turning brown from center outward—center healthy, new growth green:

1. If outdoors over winter: Cold injury—fronds die completely. Annual in marginal zones. Cut off; new growth replaces.
2. If indoors: Overwatering—roots rot, fronds brown. Let soil dry thoroughly; water sparingly.

Key Distinction

Cold injury = whole frond browns uniformly. Overwatering = often starts at tips, mushy base. Your "center looks good, new growth beautiful" suggests cold injury on older fronds—normal for sagos in cool winters.

No Pests or Mildew

Confirmed no insects, no powdery mildew. This is environmental, not biotic.

As sago matures, it holds fronds longer through winter.