Cycad plants and species for sale - Growing Notes and general cycad care

Cycads (cycas plants and species) are popular as a landscaping plant, growing both in the ground and as feature plants in pots or containers. - picture right

They are an ancient group of plants with large attractive foliage, and as a low care plant have found a home in many landscape features around the world.

Widely distributed, cycad species are native to both Africa (Encephalartos hildebrandtii and others) Japan (Cycas revoluta) and Australia and many are prized not only as ornamental plants but also as a source of food and for medicinal qualities.

Cycad species from Australia include : C.thouarsii is a tall growing species to 10m +, C. ophiolitica from Queensland is a rare low growing plant, C.media is another from Queensland, tall growing and looking like a palm tree, C. megacarpa is a medium sized cocas reaching 5 -7m with a stout trunk, C.platyphylla is a prostrate cycad, C.armstrongii is from the Northern Territory, C.cairnsiana is endangered, it will reach 4m under ideal conditions. Lepidozamia peroffskyana and Lepidozamia hopei which are two of the tallest of all cycads are others.

Growing Cycads - Facts and Care

We are often asked about leaves on cycads turning yellow, this seems to be a particular problem with potted plants. The usual cause is overwatering, or over fertilising and sometimes to much sun. The yellow leaves will not 'turn green' again, we suggest you check soil moisture, and also check for poor soil and poor drainage, also look at how much fertiliser you are using.

Scale and mealy bugs are about the only pests to worry about, so check for these as well, lots of solutions available at your local nursery for these problems.

Love your cycad, take it with you, transplanting Cycads is not difficult and they seem to survive well if large enough root ball is taken.