Cardboard Palm (Zamia furfuracea) Cycad

My favourite cycad! This one is called 'Cardboard Palm', but it's not an actual palm, it doesn't even really look like one. The Cardboard Palm is part of the Cycad family, and it is native to Mexico.

This is my favourite cycad as it has a very tidy growth habit, it doesn't grow much taller than 1m, and only spreads a little, to just under 2m. It is extremely tough, being able to handle drought, heat, frost & salt! This is one of those plants that goes well anywhere, whether it's in sand or clay, cold or hot, as long as it is in a full sun position. It will grow well in coastal areas as well as inland gardens. They do not need any additional watering once they are established in your garden, natural rainfall will do just fine. This cycad stores water in it's trunk, which means it has its own water reserve. Propagation of the Cardboard Palm is usually from seed, although I believe you could seperate the offsets once it starts clumping. I have not tried this as of yet, so I cannot guarantee this would work. Cardboard Palms need a male and a female plant to produce viable seed, and the difference shows in the cones. I have included a picture of female Cardboard Palm cones on the right hand side. Once the female cone is ripe, it will break and reveal a heap of bright red seeds. The Cardboard Palm produces very interesting cones from a very young age.

I highly recommend the Cardboard Palm (Zamia furfuracea) as an addition to your garden. They will outperform your expectations and survive whatever you throw at them! To purchase these plants, visit Cactus Island Nursery
Written by El - Cactus Island Nursery