PLNTversePLNTverse
Plants › Palms & cycads

Cycad (Zamia furfuracea)

Zamia furfuracea is a perennial, evergreen, shrub-like cycad with a rosette-like crown of leaves arising from the top of the stem; it is not a palm.

LightSources differ on light conditions, but Zamia furfuracea can grow in full sun to partial sun and takes full sun; prolonged deep shade is unsuitable, lower light may lead to elongated leaves, and outdoor full sun can prod
WaterIt is drought tolerant; water thoroughly after the growing medium dries, avoid prolonged wetness or standing water, and keep it drier in winter.
HumidityIt is reported to prefer low humidity and to need good airflow.
TemperatureSources differ on the cold minimum, with limited information indicating about -4 °C. It generally has a reported hardiness classification but tolerates brief light frost.
Track your Cycad in the PLNTverse app
Cycad illustration

Overview

Zamia furfuracea is a perennial, evergreen, shrub-like cycad with a rosette-like crown of leaves arising from the top of the stem; it is not a palm.

Origin and habitat

Sources differ on the native range within Veracruz, Mexico, describing eastern to southeastern Veracruz, with several accounts pointing more specifically to the southeastern part of the state. Its habitat includes sandy savanna or warm sandy coastal plains along eastern Mexico, where it can grow close to seawater. It is adapted to warm tropical to subtropical conditions and tolerates heat and drought, with some salt tolerance.

Characteristics

Mature plants reach 61–152 cm in height and 183–200 cm in spread. Growth is slow, especially when young, and becomes faster as the stem matures; pinnate compound leaves form a rosette-like cluster at the stem apex and are thick, leathery, and rigid, with mostly ovate to elliptic leaflets that may have fine hairs or a scaly surface and sometimes finely toothed margins. Plants are dioecious and bear cones rather than flowers; male cones are smaller or conical to cylindrical, while female cones are larger and ovate to cylindrical, and mature female cones expose bright red to scarlet, elliptic seeds rather than true fruits. Sources differ on the reproductive season, but it is mainly reported to occur in summer.

Light

Sources differ on light conditions, but Zamia furfuracea can grow in full sun to partial sun and takes full sun; prolonged deep shade is unsuitable, lower light may lead to elongated leaves, and outdoor full sun can produce a more compact form.

Watering

It is drought tolerant; water thoroughly after the growing medium dries, avoid prolonged wetness or standing water, and keep it drier in winter.

Humidity and airflow

It is reported to prefer low humidity and to need good airflow.

Temperature and dormancy

Sources differ on the cold minimum, with limited information indicating about -4 °C. It generally has a reported hardiness classification but tolerates brief light frost.

Growing medium and mounting

Well-drained sandy or sandy loam soil is preferred; containers can use a well-drained succulent growing medium, and standing water should be avoided. It needs a fast-draining mix.

Feeding

Fertilizer requirements are low; container plants can receive small amounts of balanced fertilizer, while moderate ongoing feeding during active growth may be used to encourage faster growth, and another cultivation recommendation is to apply a slow-release complete fertilizer seasonally.

Propagation

Sources differ, but propagation by seed is described.

Common problems

Scale insects are reported to be more likely in poorly ventilated indoor conditions, often occurring on leaf undersides, with new growth potentially more severely affected. Sources generally report few notable disease problems. Excess moisture can cause root rot, prolonged insufficient light can produce elongated growth, and sudden strong direct light in indoor summer conditions can cause leaf scorch. It tolerates heat and drought and has some salt tolerance, but cold and frost can cause damage, including cold injury to the leaves.

Identification

Distinctive features include broad, thick, extremely rigid leaflets with a fuzzy or scaly texture described as feeling like cardboard, along with a short, thick stem at ground level or partly underground and an overall crown resembling a palm.

Photos

Zamia furfuracea
📷 unknown · CC BY-SA 2.5 · source
Zamia furfuracea
📷 tanetahi, some rights reserved (CC BY) · CC BY · source
Zamia furfuracea
📷 no rights reserved, uploaded by S.MORE · CC0 · source

Sources