Growing and Caring for Cardboard Palm (Zamia furfuracea)

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Are you curious about how to grow and care for the cardboard palm plant? If so, you’ve stumbled upon the ultimate resource.

A highly unusual and unique plant, the cardboard palm, or Zamia furfuracea, is not technically a palm tree at all. 

In fact, it is a cycad. It has a short, partially subterranean trunk that can group to several feet tall and while its growth habit is somewhat similar to that of a palm, it is actually quite different. 

This endangered species is a great choice for growing in a home, with toothed leaflets, a slow-growing habit, and rusty brown cones. In temperate regions, it is most often grown as a houseplant, though it can be grown in a container or as a bedding species outdoors if you live in a tropical or subtropical climate. 

The Zamia furfuracea plant is a great, low-maintenance option to add some greenery to your space. This article will tell you all about the growing and care requirements of this unique houseplant and how to make sure it thrives for many years!

Plant Facts

How to Grow Cardboard Palm Trees

The cardboard palm grows best in moist, well draining soil along with full sun or partial shade (anything except constant deep shade). A salt- and drought-tolerant plant, its only specific requirement is that it needs to be kept out of the extreme cold. 

The most popular cycad species in cultivation, this species can be grown in just about any room of your home. However, it is important to note that all parts of this species are toxic, so you will want to make sure it is out of reach of small children or pets. 

This species has been around since the time of the dinosaurs and offers year-round foliage and minimal maintenance once established. Choose a site that will give your houseplant room to grow. Although it starts off slow-growing, it can eventually reach several feet in diameter. 

Propagation

The zamia plant can be tough to grow this indoor plant from seed, since they come in both male and female sexes. It can be difficult to tell which type you have – generally, males produce a large cone from the center of it while the female cone tends to be smaller and flatter.

A female will produce numerous bright red seeds when pollinated. You can collect these and germinate them in moist and indoors. Keep the seeds at around 65 degrees Fahrenheit until they germinate. If you decide to grow your own cardboard palm from seed, it’s important that you sow them immediately after harvesting – they don’t stay viable for long. 

Not only that, but after the seedling emerges, it takes quite some time before it looks anything like the adult plant. You’ll provide it with only moderate light until it creates its second set of true leaves. 

Of course, you can always purchase a potted houseplant from the store, too, which will speed up the process considerably. 

Soil

The Cardboard Palm plant thrives in sandy, well drained soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. It prefers soil that is rich in organic matter, such as compost or peat moss, to promote healthy root growth and nutrient uptake.

Additionally, the soil should be loose and aerated to prevent waterlogging, which can lead to root rot.

While Cardboard Palms can tolerate a range of potting mix types, they are sensitive to overwatering and prefer soil that dries out between waterings. Providing well drained soils substrate with adequate moisture retention ensures optimal growing conditions for the Cardboard Palm.

Pruning

Pruning is not necessary for this houseplant. You can simply remove dead leaves as they appear or trim stems to give the houseplant a neater, more compact appearance. 

Repotting and Transplanting

These palms produce small offspring known as pups or offsets around the plant’s root ball. You can dig these up and replant them. Make sure each has at least one to two leaves growing from the center, then transplant into fertile sand. 

How to Care for Cardboard Palm Indoors

After you’ve brought your houseplant home, there are a few steps you should take to ensure that your plants are properly cared for. Here are our cardboard palm care tips:

Water

Once established, the cardboard plant requires minimal water. It has unique evolutionary characteristics that allow it to withstand droughts or drought-like conditions with ease. For example, it has a dense, fleshy trunk that serves as a reservoir for water in dry spells. 

Water moderately, doing so only when the first inch or so of the soil is completely dry. Let the soil dry out completely between watering and make sure you use a pot with good drainage holes so it doesn’t collect water and lead to root rot.

Essentially, you just need to provide the houseplant with enough moisture to make sure the trunk stays fat and supple. Don’t let it dry out to the point where the stems or trunk are dry or wrinkled. Water deeply once a week in the summer but reduce the moisture in the dormant periods of fall and winter by about half.

Sunlight

This houseplant can be grown in partial sun, partial shade, and full sun. When growing indoors, where the bright light intensity is less, it’s recommended that you place your plant in a location where it will receive full sunlight at least six to eight hours each day. 

Temperature and Humidity

Hardy in USDA zones 9-11, the cardboard plant is best suited for tropical or subtropical climates. In more temperate growing zones, this plant can be grown indoors in a container. 

Cardboard palms need temperatures from around 60 to 7 5 degrees Fahrenheit with low to average humidity levels. Don’t position your plant in the bathroom or another high-humidity area, as this may lead to rot and other fungal problems. Remember, this is a plant that likes to stay mostly dry!

Fertilizer

This indoor plant grows extremely slowly, which leads many novice gardeners to believe that the plant is not performing as it should and needs to be fertilized.

Don’t succumb to this temptation, though. Although it seems as if your plant needs to be fertilized often, the reality is that the palm is extremely slow-growing and only needs fertilizing every now and then. 

Instead, just use a balanced fertilizer such as a slow-release palm food (you can use a palm food despite the fact that this plant is not a true palm!) or a diluted household plant food about once per month during the growing season.

Pest and Diseases

There are few pests and diseases to which the Zamia furfuracea plant is vulnerable. The one exception is the Florida red scale. This pest can be seriously problematic if left unattended as it inhibits the growth of the tree. You can remove Florida red scale insects with a bit of rubbing alcohol applied to the plant to scrub them off. 

Two other plants issues to watch out for are mealybug insects (a pest) and leaf spot (a fungal disease). Again, these can be controlled by picking them off the plant by hand, using insecticidal soap, and watching your watering. 

Rot is the biggest problem affecting the houseplant. It is caused by overwatering and can occur in the crown or stem. Once the crown is consumed by fungal spores, it is difficult to reverse it. Therefore, it’s important that you remain vigilant when it comes to watering your plant – don’t overdo it!

Common Varieties and Cultivars

While these Cardboard Palm plants are undeniably beautiful to grow, there is one downside – you only have one type of plant to choose from! This might make your shopping experience a bit easier, but unfortunately, it limits the variety you get when choosing which type of plant to grow.

FAQs

How much sun does a cardboard palm need?

Cardboard palms prefer bright, indirect light but can tolerate partial shade. Avoid exposing them to direct sunlight, as it can lead to leaf burn.

Why is my cardboard palm turning yellow?

Yellowing in cardboard palms could indicate various issues such as overwatering, underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pest infestations. Assess the plant’s care routine and environment to determine the cause and address it accordingly.

Do cardboard palms spread?

Cardboard palms do not spread aggressively like some other palm species. They grow from a central trunk and typically maintain a compact growth habit.

How long do cardboard palms live for?

With proper care, cardboard palms can live for several decades. In optimal conditions, they may survive for 50 years or more, making them long-lived additions to indoor or outdoor landscapes.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a plant that can thrive in a variety of different settings, the cardboard palm tree is an excellent option. Additionally, the foliage is evergreen, which makes it an excellent backdrop for colorful flowers that are planted in landscaping beds.

It’s great if you don’t have much space or want something low-maintenance to keep in your cubicle at work.

By providing your cardboard palm plant with fertile soil, a bit of water, and plenty of sunshine, this plant will continue to offer visual appeal for years to come.

For more plants to grow, check this list.

*image by claudiodivizia/depositphotos

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