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Cardboard Palm - 6" Pot

Cardboard Palm - 6" Pot

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ā‚¹599
ā‚¹599 - ā‚¹599
ā‚¹599
ā‚¹399
ā‚¹399 - ā‚¹399
ā‚¹399

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  • Thick, cardboard-textured leaflets
  • Extremely drought- and heat-tolerant
  • Compact and low maintenance
  • Great for pots and xeriscapes
  • Caution: toxic if eaten
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Country of origin: India

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The Cardboard Palm (Zamia furfuracea) is a hardy cycad, not a true palm, named for its thick, stiff, rounded leaflets that feel like cardboard. It forms a low, spreading rosette of arching fronds from a partly underground stem, giving a bold, tropical-prehistoric look. Native to Mexico, it is exceptionally drought-tolerant and tough, thriving in full sun across India's plains and coastal regions and adapting well to containers and rockeries. Slow-growing and low-maintenance, it is ideal for xeriscapes and busy gardeners. As with other cycads, all parts are toxic if eaten, so site it away from pets and children.

Specifications

Family Zamiaceae
Native region Mexico
Mature height 0.6-1.2 m
Mature spread 1-1.5 m
Growth rate Slow
Foliage Evergreen, stiff leathery cardboard-like green leaflets
Flower colour ā€”
Flower season ā€”
Climate zone Tropical to subtropical

Care guide

Sunlight Full sun to partial shade; bright light indoors.
Watering Water sparingly; let soil dry well; very drought-tolerant.
Soil / mix Sandy, gritty, sharply drained soil.
Temperature Best at 18-38C; sensitive to frost below 5C.
Humidity Tolerates low to moderate humidity.
Fertilizer Palm/cycad fertilizer 2-3 times in growing season.
Pruning Remove only old or damaged fronds.
Repotting Every 3-4 years; dislikes disturbance.
Propagation By seed or basal offsets.
Pests & problems Prone to scale and mealybugs.
Toxicity / safety Highly toxic to pets and humans if ingested.
Difficulty Easy

Uses

A tough, low-water specimen for pots, rockeries, xeriscapes, coastal gardens and bright interiors, valued for its bold texture and minimal care.

Growing tips

Plant in gritty, free-draining soil and water sparingly, as it stores water and rots easily in soggy monsoon conditions. It thrives on neglect in full Indian sun once established, needing only occasional feeding.

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Frequently asked questions

How often should I water a Cardboard Palm?
Water sparingly, letting the soil dry out well between waterings. It is very drought-tolerant and far more likely to suffer from overwatering than from drought.
How much light does it need?
It thrives in full sun to partial shade outdoors and bright, indirect light indoors. Good light keeps the rosette compact and sturdy.
Is the Cardboard Palm safe for pets?
No. Like other cycads it is highly toxic to dogs, cats and humans if eaten. Keep it out of reach of pets and children.
Can I grow it indoors?
Yes, it tolerates indoor life in a bright spot and needs little water, but place it where pets and children cannot chew the foliage or seeds.
How is it propagated?
It is grown from seed or by removing the basal offsets (pups) that appear around the base of established plants.
Why are the leaves turning yellow?
Yellowing typically points to overwatering and poor drainage. Reduce watering, improve the soil mix, and feed lightly if a deficiency is suspected.
Does it flower?
No, as a cycad it produces cones rather than flowers, with male and female cones borne on separate plants.
How fast does it grow?
It is a slow grower, adding only a flush of new fronds at a time, which makes it tidy and easy to keep in containers for years.
Is it suitable for dry, low-water gardens?
Yes, it is excellent for xeriscapes and water-wise gardens thanks to its strong drought tolerance and minimal care needs.
What fertilizer should I use?
Apply a palm or cycad fertilizer with micronutrients two to three times during the growing season; avoid overfeeding.

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