How to Plant a Cycad

Cycads are an ancient bunch, often referred to as "fossil palms," or "living fossils," because their fossilized remains have been found accompanying those of dinosaurs. Although some species have become extinct, the appearances of surviving varieties haven't changed much in millions of years. Modern cycads are very long-lived, and known 300-year-old individuals are common. The relatively pest-free cycads can tolerate dips in temperature as low as 15 to 20 degrees F, but the preference of all species is for warm climates and full sun all day, although they will tolerate some shade. You can grow them outside in USDA hardiness zones 9 and 10.
The most propagated and retailed cycad in the world is the Sago palm, which is not really a palm at all. These sturdy plants are popular and commonly used as potted specimens as well as in landscaping and for groundcovers, due to their tendency to spread. Sago cycads even lend themselves exceptionally well to bonsai techniques because their growth is easily stunted by crowding the roots. Mature Sagos are readily available from nurseries, home improvement centers and some grocery stores.

Things You'll Need

• Coarse sand
• Pumice or perlite
• Peat moss
• Redwood orchid bark
• Clay pot
• Fertilizer
• Bone meal
• Blood meal

Instructions

1. Combine 1 part each coarse sand (grit #12), pumice or perlite, coarse peat moss and 1/8- to 1/4-inch redwood orchid bark. Mix well to form your cycad potting soil mix.

2. Put about 1/2 inch of 1/8- to 1/4-inch redwood orchid bark in the bottom of a clay pot. The pot should be large enough so that the sides of it are at least 2 inches away from the plant. Clay is the best material for the cycad's drainage requirements.

3. Add some soil mix to the pot . Place the Sago so that it's positioned at exactly the same soil surface level it occupied in its nursery pot. Add the soil a little at a time, firming it gently around the rootball as you go. Leave about 1/2 inch of vertical space between the soil and the top of the pot.

4. Water the plant just enough to barely moisten the soil. Don't water again until the top 1 inch of the soil is dry. Most cycads that die are killed by too much moisture around their roots. If in doubt, don't water. However, humidity is a must. Give the entire plant a spritzing with cool water.

5. Feed the cycad a good all-purpose tropical plant fertilizer, some bone meal and some blood meal, according to the packaging instructions.

6. Place the newly potted cycad in the brightest, warmest spot in your home. If the weather is warm, setting it outside in dappled light for a few hours will be appreciated by the plant. It won't like the frost, so don't allow it to freeze. The warmer the Sago stays, the happier it will be.

7. Spritz the entire cycad with cool water twice daily . Water only when the top 1 inch of soil is dry, and continue feeding fertilizer, bone meal and blood meal.

Tips & Warnings

• When the cycad has grown large enough, the trunk wood will become chunky, with lots of holes and grooves. Attach orchids and air plants to these depressions for a stunning display of tropical color.

References

• Jungle Music: Cycad Advice
• The Banana Tree: Planting Sago Seedlings
• National Arboretum: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map