Zamia furfuracea

Zamia furfuracea is a cycad native to southeastern Veracruz state in eastern Mexico. This plant is not a palm tree, its growth habit is similar to a palm; therefore, it is commonly known as cardboard palm or cardboard cycad. This plant is much easier to please indoors because of its tolerance of dry air. Cardboard palms are cone-producing bushes with extremely stiff, flat foliage that grows to about 3 feet tall at their highest.

This plant requires bright light for it to grow properly. Full sun benefits the plant best during its growing season, but it can still thrive in partial sunlight. Be sure to rotate the cardboard plant occasionally so it can grow evenly.

The trunk is used to store water; so please allow the top 2” to dry out before watering again. Make sure the pot you put it into has drainage holes to prevent soggy soil. Cardboard palm is actively growing in the Spring through Fall, so cut back on water in the Winter months.

Feed once in Spring and again in Summer with a general palm food or slow-release fertilizer.

• Repotting a Zamia furfuracea should not be necessary more often than about once in every two or three years as the plant does not like to be disturbed.
• Grows slowly, but can reach up to 6 feet indoors.
• Average room temperature 60-75°F year-round. It’s cold-hardy down to 25°F, but prefers to be warm.

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