Back when dinosaurs ruled the Earth, those that lived in subtropical and tropical climates trod among prehistoric plants now known as cycads. Although the dinosaurs died out, cycads survive to the present day. With their fringy fronds, some cycad species are mistaken for palms, with the misnamed sago palm being the most well-known example.
Unlike palms, however, cycads are dioecious, meaning they have separate male and female plants. When mature, the male plants produce pollen-filled cones, while the females produce larger cones that contain seeds. Botanical distinctions aside, cycads can be an intriguing low-maintenance addition to your landscape that bring a lush touch of the tropics and a living glimpse of a long-bygone era. Our blog post - " How to Create a Tropical Look for Your Central Florida Yard " - provides plant recommendations that cycads will visually complement.
Bring a Bit of Jurassic Park to Your Yard with These Prehistoric Cycads
If you want to introduce a bit of wild, primordial beauty to your 21 st century yard, cycads will set the scene, harkening back to when the world was young. Cycads have thrived for millions of years, so they'll readily find growing conditions on your property agreeable.
University of Florida IFAS Gardening Solutions provides the following list of cycads you can incorporate into your landscaping. Click on the name to learn more about each!
Bamboo Cycad - Despite all we just said about cycads resembling palms, the bamboo cycad looks more like the plant it's named for. Ceratozamia hildae has an upright, delicate appearance that makes it one of the most unique among all 200 cycad species.
It forms thin, stem-like petioles that grow up to 5-7 feet long depending on how much sunlight they receive. Pairs of thin, lime-green "leaflets" are arranged along the petiole in a "bow tie" pattern. These thin, papery leaflets distinguish the bamboo cycad from other cycads, which typically have thick, leathery leaflets.
Easy to grow, bamboo cycads tolerate a wide range of climate and light conditions, and can mature in 2-4 years with proper care. They grow best in partial shade, but also can be grown in moderate sun or deep shade. Bamboo cycads require a little moisture compared to other cycads, but should never be overwatered or allowed to sit in saturated soil, as they're sensitive to root rot. Avoid planting in low spots or places that become saturated easily. If you have a small yard with limited space, they make attractive container plants.
Cardboard Plant - Known scientifically as Zamia furfuracea , the cardboard plant is a Florida landscape favorite that easily passes for a palm. In fact, it's commonly referred to as a cardboard palm, so if you hear this designation, know that it's one and the same! The cardboard plant provides a year-round display of striking foliage and, once established, requires little water or maintenance. Fun fact: The cardboard plant was named a 2007 Florida Plant of the Year by the Florida Nursery Growers & Landscape Association (FNGLA).
The fronds of the cardboard plant can grow to 3 feet long with up to 12 pairs of stiff, leathery, dark green leaflets. Its evergreen foliage provides a great backdrop for colorful flowers in landscape beds. Select a site that will leave the plant ample room to grow, as it can reach up to 6 feet in diameter. This hardy, eye-catching plant grows in full sun or shade, and tolerates a variety of well-drained soils.
The leaves grow out of a thick, fleshy trunk that serves as a reservoir in times of drought. The trunk is also where the distinctive-looking reproductive structures arise. Male and female plants each produce their own cones. After the female cones are fertilized, they ripen and break open to reveal a number of tightly packed, bright red seeds.
Coontie - Looking like a combination of a palm and a fern, the coontie ( Zamia integrifolia) has the distinction of being the only cycad native to the United States. Typically one to three feet tall, it has stiff, glossy, featherlike leaves attached to a thick, short, underground stem.
Because of its high drought tolerance and moderate salt tolerance, the coontie is an excellent choice for coastal yards - and it's cold-hardy, as well. Coonties can be planted in sun or shade, and can be used as a specimen plant or in foundation and massed plantings.
The coontie is also the preferred food source for larvae of the rare atala butterfly, which makes it an ideal addition to any butterfly garden . But don't worry - the coontie survives the larvae's appetite and grows new leaves!
Dioon - This is a genus of plants native to Central America. These cycads are easy to grow and can make a strong statement in any landscape. They've been discovered by professional landscapers and gardeners alike as replacements for sago plants, which are susceptible to the destructive cycad aulacaspis scale .
Chestnut dioon ( Dioon edule ) and giant dioon ( D. spinulosum ) are the two species most commonly grown in Florida. Although the palm-like leaves of both plants have a feathery look, the leaf tips are quite spiny.
Chestnut dioon is the more cold-hardy of the two and is suitable for USDA zones 8-11. It resembles the king sago, but the foliage is typically more blue-green and can even be pale blue or pale red as it emerges. Though quite slow growing, the plant can develop multiple trunks and can reach up to 8 feet in height. Giant dioon is best suited for the southern parts of Florida since it is rated for USDA zones 9B-11. It produces stiff, upright leaves that are light green in color. Giant dioon is a suitable alternative for the queen sago and grows up to 5 to 12 feet tall and 6 feet across.
Chestnut dioon prefers full sun to partial shade, while giant dioon should be planted in partial or full shade. Both species will perform best when planted in a well-drained soil that receives irrigation, but they are also drought-tolerant. They can be grown in poor soils, though fertilizing the plants will improve growth. Look for a balanced fertilizer that also provides trace elements.
Chestnut dioon also has a high tolerance to salt, making it a Florida-friendly choice for coastal gardens. Both species can work well as specimen plants or as an architectural backdrop to other plants in a mulched bed.
Sago Alternatives - As mentioned, the cycad aulacaspis scale has had a devastating effect on king and queen sago plants, with the majority of those having some degree of infestation. This pest is very common in Central Florida. Compared to other scale insects that attack plants, this scale is much more aggressive. It multiplies rapidly and leads to leaf yellowing. For this reason, home gardeners are looking for alternatives that can provide a similar dramatic, tropical look, but are resistant to this scale and other insect pests.
In addition to the chestnut dioon described earlier, Ceratozamia kuesteriana is another good alternative to the king sago, as both can be grown throughout Florida. Both of these cycads have evergreen, palm-like fronds and resemble the king sago, but they aren't as prone to the cycad aulacaspis scale. In case you're wondering, Ceratozamia kuesteriana doesn't have a more user-friendly common name.
Other alternatives to sagos include actual palms - such as the slow-growing windmill and radicalis palms. Some of these plants prefer full sun, while others like a little shade.
Tips for Growing Healthy Cycads
Although most cycads are low-maintenance - after all, there was no one around to take care of them eons ago - home gardeners can unknowingly cause harm. Sara Edelman - Palm and Cycad Manager at Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden - provides the following tips to ensure healthy cycads.
Take care when using mulch - Mulch increases organic matter and nutrients around plants and decreases the growth of weeds. However, mulch is a major deterrent of cycad growth. The base of the cycad is usually characterized by a nice round bud that is somewhat soft. When mulch gets too close to the base, the soft part begins to rot and spreads infection through the cycad. After a few months of heavy mulching around cycads, the newest leaves will start to wilt.
Pay attention to planting depth - In many gardens, the base of the cycad is buried underground, much like a ground orchid bulb. The result is severe decay, similar to what heavy mulching causes. Burying the base underground suffocates the cycad, increases chance of rot and stops the plant from producing new leaves. The correct depth is directly below the base of the cycad and above where the roots start.
Don't remove the pup - For many cycads, strength and health are measured by the ability to grow pups. This is a form of asexual reproduction in which the individual is able to grow a new center of growth off of the current base. Many people who want to keep their cycad small will remove the pup. However, doing so could damage the cycad beyond repair, and there is a risk of losing the parent and the pup to infection, rot and disease. If the goal is to keep the cycad manageable, trim back the leaves. Cycads respond very well to trimming in the fall months as long as no damage is done to the base of the plant.
Now, here's a word of caution: All cycads are toxic to humans and animals. No part of any cycad should be eaten. Touching the leaves is generally not considered dangerous, but it's a good idea to wash your hands afterward. To stay on the safe side, don't plant a cycad if you own a dog that's allowed the run of your yard. If you have small children - or visiting grandchildren - make sure they don't try to eat the seeds, to which they may be attracted.
The Take-Home Message
Cycads can be an ideal plant to complement your existing landscaping, or used to establish a tropical look with Florida flair. Although low-maintenance, care should be taken to avoid inadvertently harming them through improper gardening methods.
If you need advice on where to plant these fascinating prehistoric "living fossils" - as well as someone to provide and plant them - call us! Our landscaping experts at Daniel's Lawn Service & Pressure Washing can advise you on the best types of cycads (or any plant or tree) for your property - and provide a landscaping design that allows you to incorporate and showcase them to give you a yard that will truly be your slice of Central Florida paradise!
In addition to landscaping design, our full-service company provides plant and tree installation, tree trimming, yard maintenance, pressure washing and so much more. today so we can do the work, and you can do the enjoying! We proudly serve all of Central Florida - including Orlando, Sanford, Longwood and Lake Mary! We look forward to helping you achieve your goals and bring your vision to life!
