Outdoor Plant Profile: Cycads
Considered the aristocrats of foliage plants, cycads have a distinctive form that adds sculptural beauty to any garden
Cycads are often described as Jurassic plants due to their ancient lineage, which some experts date back more than 280 million years. However, most of the species we see today are relative babies, their existence on the planet said to be a mere 12 million years. Slow-growing cycads are also known for their longevity, with some plants in the wild estimated to be around 10,000 years old.
With their beautifully formed stiff fronds arranged symmetrically around a circular centre, cycads make eye-catching focal points in the garden, whether planted in the ground or in pots. Among the hundreds of cycad species there are many variations in leaf colour and type, as well as growth habit and temperature tolerance. Easy care, long-lived and striking to look at, there’s certainly a lot to like about cycads.
With their beautifully formed stiff fronds arranged symmetrically around a circular centre, cycads make eye-catching focal points in the garden, whether planted in the ground or in pots. Among the hundreds of cycad species there are many variations in leaf colour and type, as well as growth habit and temperature tolerance. Easy care, long-lived and striking to look at, there’s certainly a lot to like about cycads.
Plant type
Palm-like plants. Cycads typically form a woody trunk with a crown of leaves, and are closely related to conifers. Pictured here is a low-growing cycad from Mexico, the cardboard palm (Zamia furfuracea).
Size
Cycads range in size depending on the species. Some are low, spreading plants while others gradually form a trunk. Some cycads can reach 20 metres in height, but this will take many years as they are slow-growing.
Plant profile: Fiddle-leaf fig
Palm-like plants. Cycads typically form a woody trunk with a crown of leaves, and are closely related to conifers. Pictured here is a low-growing cycad from Mexico, the cardboard palm (Zamia furfuracea).
Size
Cycads range in size depending on the species. Some are low, spreading plants while others gradually form a trunk. Some cycads can reach 20 metres in height, but this will take many years as they are slow-growing.
Plant profile: Fiddle-leaf fig
Looks best
Cycads make beautiful focal points in a garden, whether planted in pots or in the ground. They work well with subtropical species such as the tractor-seat plant (Ligularia renformis) that Caroline Wesseling Landscapes has used here. Cycads and succulents like similar conditions, and growing them together can be an interesting exercise in combining their different architectural shapes. Many designers plant cycads in large groups massed beneath taller trees, or create small groves of these elegant plants.
Cycads make beautiful focal points in a garden, whether planted in pots or in the ground. They work well with subtropical species such as the tractor-seat plant (Ligularia renformis) that Caroline Wesseling Landscapes has used here. Cycads and succulents like similar conditions, and growing them together can be an interesting exercise in combining their different architectural shapes. Many designers plant cycads in large groups massed beneath taller trees, or create small groves of these elegant plants.
Signature traits
These are slow-growing, elegant, architectural plants with stiff dark green or blue-green fronds arranged symmetrically around a central stem. With many cycads, the stem slowly forms a trunk. ‘Pups’ or suckers will eventually develop on the trunk, and can be propagated as new plants (easier with Sago palm than many other cycads). Some species can be spiky, so choose carefully if placing on a deck or terrace.
These are slow-growing, elegant, architectural plants with stiff dark green or blue-green fronds arranged symmetrically around a central stem. With many cycads, the stem slowly forms a trunk. ‘Pups’ or suckers will eventually develop on the trunk, and can be propagated as new plants (easier with Sago palm than many other cycads). Some species can be spiky, so choose carefully if placing on a deck or terrace.
When to plant
Warmer soil is best, so avoid planting in winter unless you live in a hot area, or are planting your cycad into a container. Spring is the ideal time.
Where is it best positioned? Most cycads, particularly Australian species, prefer a warm sunny position with protection from winds and frosts. Sago palm is the most cold-tolerant cycad. In very hot climates some sun protection may be necessary, particularly for shade-loving Asian cycads. Soil should be free-draining. If your soil is heavy clay, plant your cycad in a large pot with a free-draining succulent mix.
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Warmer soil is best, so avoid planting in winter unless you live in a hot area, or are planting your cycad into a container. Spring is the ideal time.
Where is it best positioned? Most cycads, particularly Australian species, prefer a warm sunny position with protection from winds and frosts. Sago palm is the most cold-tolerant cycad. In very hot climates some sun protection may be necessary, particularly for shade-loving Asian cycads. Soil should be free-draining. If your soil is heavy clay, plant your cycad in a large pot with a free-draining succulent mix.
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How to plant
Make sure you have dug a hole wide and deep enough for the roots of the cycad. Roots are easily damaged when planting or transplanting so handle these with care, particularly the main, carrot-like root. If these are damaged, allow roots to dry out rather than replanting immediately to avoid fungal infection developing in the plant. Once the damaged area has healed over it is safe to replant. It’s best to wait a week or so before watering a newly transplanted cycad to allow any root damage to heal.
Although they do well in pots as they are so slow growing, cycads will do even better in fertile, free-draining soil in the garden. Building raised beds or planting cycads among rocks in the garden is a good option to improve drainage.
Make sure you have dug a hole wide and deep enough for the roots of the cycad. Roots are easily damaged when planting or transplanting so handle these with care, particularly the main, carrot-like root. If these are damaged, allow roots to dry out rather than replanting immediately to avoid fungal infection developing in the plant. Once the damaged area has healed over it is safe to replant. It’s best to wait a week or so before watering a newly transplanted cycad to allow any root damage to heal.
Although they do well in pots as they are so slow growing, cycads will do even better in fertile, free-draining soil in the garden. Building raised beds or planting cycads among rocks in the garden is a good option to improve drainage.
When to water
Cycads are similar to succulents in their water requirements, with most able to tolerate some dryness, particularly during winter. However, like succulents they do better if watered regularly rather than left in very dry soil for long periods during the warmer months. Never let them stand in water-logged soil either or they will rot. Some species in the Macrozamia genus need more water than most other cycads.
Cycads are similar to succulents in their water requirements, with most able to tolerate some dryness, particularly during winter. However, like succulents they do better if watered regularly rather than left in very dry soil for long periods during the warmer months. Never let them stand in water-logged soil either or they will rot. Some species in the Macrozamia genus need more water than most other cycads.
How to fertilise
Feed three to four times a year during the warmer months with a balanced fertiliser. A slow-release fertiliser is recommended for potted cycads. Some cycad species may perform better if they receive small amounts of particular minerals that they have adapted to in their native environments. Check with the nursery when buying for any special feeding requirements.
How to prune
As the old leaves die these should be removed. Use gloves as leaves can be spiny.
Things to do in the garden in July
Feed three to four times a year during the warmer months with a balanced fertiliser. A slow-release fertiliser is recommended for potted cycads. Some cycad species may perform better if they receive small amounts of particular minerals that they have adapted to in their native environments. Check with the nursery when buying for any special feeding requirements.
How to prune
As the old leaves die these should be removed. Use gloves as leaves can be spiny.
Things to do in the garden in July
Interesting fact
Cycads are closely related to conifers and reproduce by forming cones and seeds. They are also dioecious, which means plants are either male or female, the latter producing seeds, and the former cones.
Cycads are closely related to conifers and reproduce by forming cones and seeds. They are also dioecious, which means plants are either male or female, the latter producing seeds, and the former cones.
Where to buy
As they are so slow growing, large cycads can be expensive. Some species are critically endangered or close to extinction, so collecting cycads from the wild is usually closely regulated. For the best selection and advice, talk to your local palm and cycad society.
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As they are so slow growing, large cycads can be expensive. Some species are critically endangered or close to extinction, so collecting cycads from the wild is usually closely regulated. For the best selection and advice, talk to your local palm and cycad society.
Your say
If you enjoyed this story, like it, bookmark it, save the photos and share your thoughts below. Join the conversation!
More
Read more garden stories
Common name: Cycad
Botanical name: There are hundreds of different species of cycads and 10 genera, with the most commonly grown Sago palm (Cycas revoluta) from Japan, pictured here. Other popular cycad genera include Zamia, Macrozamia and Dioon.
Origin: Tropical regions throughout the world, including Australia.