{"title":"Cycads and Sago Palms","description":"\u003cp\u003eCycads are among the oldest plant families on earth: stiff, glossy rosettes of leaves on a thick trunk, slow growing and very long lived. They look like palms or ferns but are neither. Gardeners use them as sculptural feature plants in beds, courtyards and large pots, where one well placed specimen does the work of several shrubs. Choose by the size and shape of the leaf, how much sun and cold the position gets, and remember that every cycad is poisonous if eaten.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eHow to choose a cycad\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003ca href=\"\/products\/sago-palm-cycad-cycas-revoluta\"\u003eSago Palm Cycad\u003c\/a\u003e is the classic: a tidy crown of dark, glossy, feather shaped leaves on a trunk that thickens slowly over decades. It suits pots and formal entrances and is the most cold tolerant of the common cycads. The \u003ca href=\"\/products\/cardboard-plant-zamia-furfuracea\"\u003eCardboard Plant\u003c\/a\u003e is lower and wider, a mound of thick, felted, oval leaflets about a metre high and up to two metres across, and it copes well with coastal conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe \u003ca href=\"\/products\/chestnut-dioon-dioon-edule\"\u003eChestnut Dioon\u003c\/a\u003e has stiff, narrow, blue green leaves and is tough in sun, drought and cold. The \u003ca href=\"\/products\/giant-dioon-dioon-spinulosum\"\u003eGiant Dioon\u003c\/a\u003e is a much larger plant in time, with long arching leaves, and prefers a warmer, more sheltered position. For bold texture the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/tongaland-cycad-encephalartos-ferox\"\u003eTongaland Cycad\u003c\/a\u003e carries broad, holly like leaflets with spiny tips and is suited to subtropical gardens with part shade.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere cycads grow\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMost cycads want sharp drainage above all else. They grow well in sun or light shade through tropical, subtropical and warm temperate Australia, and the sago palm and chestnut dioon extend into cooler districts with frost. The cardboard plant, giant dioon and the encephalartos are better kept to frost free or nearly frost free gardens. In hot inland sun, light afternoon shade keeps the leaves from bleaching.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eCycads sit well with palms, succulents and bold foliage. See our \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/palm-trees\"\u003epalm trees\u003c\/a\u003e, \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/tropical-plants\"\u003etropical plants\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-pots\"\u003eplants for pots\u003c\/a\u003e for companions.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlanting and spacing\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003ePlant into free draining soil, raising the bed or adding coarse sand and gravel where the ground is heavy clay. Set the plant at the level it grew in the pot, with the base of the trunk above the soil, never buried. Allow room for the mature spread of the crown: a sago palm needs about two metres, a cardboard plant a little more. Many cycads have sharp leaflet tips or spines on the leaf stalks, so keep them back from paths, gates and play areas. In pots, use a gritty, open mix and a container with large drainage holes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCare basics\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWater regularly through the first summer, then deeply but not often. Established cycads tolerate dry spells far better than wet feet, and overwatering is the usual cause of rot. Feed in spring with a slow release fertiliser. New leaves arrive in a single flush, usually once a year, and are soft until they harden, so avoid moving or brushing the plant while they unfurl. Caterpillars of the cycad blue butterfly can chew this soft growth in eastern Australia: check new flushes and treat early. Remove old leaves cleanly at the trunk, wearing gloves. Our \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/cycad-care-guide\"\u003ecycad care guide\u003c\/a\u003e covers feeding, pests and repotting.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eAre cycads and sago palms poisonous?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes. All parts of cycads and sago palms, especially the seeds, are highly poisonous to dogs, cats and people if eaten. Plant them where pets and small children cannot chew them, and remove any seeds that form.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow fast do cycads grow?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSlowly. A sago palm may add only a few centimetres of trunk in a year, which is why larger plants are valued and why a cycad rarely outgrows its position.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eIs a sago palm a palm?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. It is a cycad, a cone bearing plant more closely related to conifers than to palms. Male and female cones are carried on separate plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCan cycads grow in pots?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVery well. Their slow growth and tolerance of dry spells make them long term container plants, provided the mix drains freely and the pot is not left standing in water.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"cardboard-plant-zamia-furfuracea","title":"Cardboard Plant - Zamia furfuracea","description":"\u003cp\u003eCardboard Plant (\u003cem\u003eZamia furfuracea\u003c\/em\u003e) is a cycad, not a palm: a low squat trunk pushing out stiff arching fronds of thick felted leaflets that really do feel like cardboard. It settles at around 1m tall and 1.5m across, a broad sculptural feature rather than a tall one. Slow, tough and salt tolerant, it is a first choice for a poolside bed or a large pot. Every part of it is highly toxic, so read the caution below.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eArchitecture that holds all year.\u003c\/strong\u003e Symmetrical whorls of rigid fronds give a strong shape in every season, without the constant leaf drop of most tropical plants.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBuilt for poolside.\u003c\/strong\u003e Salt and chlorine splash do not trouble it, the leaflets stay put, and the low broad shape suits a paved surround.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCoastal and heat proof.\u003c\/strong\u003e Salt, heat and drought tolerant once established, so beachfront positions and hot courtyards both work.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eVery slow and very low maintenance.\u003c\/strong\u003e One flush of fronds a year, nothing to prune or stake.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePots and containers.\u003c\/strong\u003e Its strongest use. A pot 500mm or wider gives it room for a decade, and lets you shift it under cover at the cool end of its range.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePoolside, courtyards, rockeries and coastal beds.\u003c\/strong\u003e Plant it at least 1.5m back from paving so the mature spread does not push fronds over the edge. A single specimen among boulders or gravel is the way to use it, since repeating it weakens the effect.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Cardboard Plant in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun to part shade, with full sun giving the most compact plant. It suits tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens only. It is frost tender, so colder gardens need it potted and movable.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Sharp drainage is not optional. Sandy and gravelly soils are ideal; on clay, mound the position 200mm or use a free draining cactus and palm mix. Wet winter soil is the most common way this plant is lost.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Water weekly through the first summer, then only in extended dry weather; mature plants dislike constant moisture. Feed once in early spring with a slow release palm and cycad fertiliser.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Only to remove old fronds once they yellow, cut close to the trunk. Do not cut healthy green fronds; the plant produces so few that removing them sets it back a year.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eImportant caution.\u003c\/strong\u003e All parts are highly toxic to pets and people if eaten, and the seeds are the most dangerous. Poisoning in dogs can be lethal. Keep it away from animals that chew plants and from young children.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is grown in sizes from 200mm plants in packs of six and 250mm in packs of three, through single 300mm and 400mm plants, to advanced 110L and 160L specimens. The smaller pots hold young plants, usually a rosette of two or three fronds, that take several years to gain presence. The 110L and 160L plants are mature, with a formed trunk.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCycads travel well because the fronds are rigid and leathery. Expect no visible growth for the first few months, then one flush of fronds in the warm season. Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost, and every plant has our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/your-ideal-tropical-poolside-plants-for-low-maintenance-bliss\"\u003eLow maintenance poolside planting ideas\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-poolside-gardens\"\u003eBrowse poolside plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/tropical-plants\"\u003eCompare tropical plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/choosing-the-right-size-pot-for-your-plant-the-complete-guide\"\u003eChoosing the right pot size\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs it safe around pets and children?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Every part is highly toxic if swallowed, the seeds most of all, with serious and sometimes fatal poisoning recorded in dogs. Avoid it if you have a pet that chews plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs it a palm?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo, it is a cycad, an older and unrelated group. It grows far more slowly than any palm and produces cones rather than flowers, so palm care advice does not transfer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWill it survive frost?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is frost tender and damaged by even light frost. In cold gardens grow it potted and move it under cover over winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"Tube (Backorder)","offer_id":67789556351295,"sku":"ZAM-FUR-tube","price":23.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":false},{"title":"140mm (Pack of 10)","offer_id":55100273688895,"sku":"ZAM-FUR-140MM-P10","price":514.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"200mm (Pack of 6)","offer_id":44760323883327,"sku":"ZAM-FUR-200MM-P6","price":522.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"300mm","offer_id":44129416380735,"sku":"ZAM-FUR-300MM","price":247.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"400mm","offer_id":44129416413503,"sku":"ZAM-FUR-400MM","price":668.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"500mm (Backorder)","offer_id":55100273852735,"sku":"ZAM-FUR-500MM","price":1155.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100L","offer_id":55100273787199,"sku":"ZAM-FUR-100L","price":1993.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"160L (Backorder)","offer_id":45642291478847,"sku":"ZAM-FUR-160L","price":1993.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/Cardboard-Plant-Zamia-furfuracea.jpg?v=1741857719"},{"product_id":"sago-palm-cycad-cycas-revoluta","title":"Sago Palm Cycad - Cycas revoluta","description":"\u003cp\u003eSago Palm (\u003cem\u003eCycas revoluta\u003c\/em\u003e) is not a palm at all. It is a cycad, a plant group older than flowering plants, and it grows a rigid, perfectly symmetrical rosette of deep green glossy fronds above a thickening trunk. It reaches around 1.5m tall and 1.5m wide and takes decades to get there. One caution up front: every part of this plant is highly toxic to dogs, cats and people, and the seeds most of all.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eArchitectural symmetry.\u003c\/strong\u003e Each flush of fronds emerges as a complete whorl, so the plant is geometrically even in a way little else manages.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClose to indestructible.\u003c\/strong\u003e Drought, heat and salt tolerant, with thick fronds that shrug off wind, glare and reflected heat off paving.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eProven poolside.\u003c\/strong\u003e It does not shed leaf litter continuously, which is exactly what you want beside water.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIdeal in a pot.\u003c\/strong\u003e Slow growth and a compact root system let it hold the same large pot for a decade, and the trunk thickens into a specimen over time.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePoolside planting.\u003c\/strong\u003e Salt and chlorine splash do not trouble it, and there is no constant leaf drop into the water. Set it back far enough that the stiff frond tips are not at shin height beside a walkway.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeature and specimen planting.\u003c\/strong\u003e A single mature plant carries a courtyard or a front entry, and it is worth uplighting at night.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePots and coastal gardens.\u003c\/strong\u003e A pot 500mm or wider suits a plant of this size, and coastal exposure is no obstacle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing sago palm in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun to part shade. It suits tropical, subtropical, warm temperate and Mediterranean gardens and takes light frost only, so in cold inland and southern districts grow it in a pot that moves under cover for winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Sharp drainage is essential. Sandy or gravelly soil is ideal, and on clay it needs a raised mound or a pot. Waterlogged soil rots the crown, the most common way these plants are lost.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Water deeply but infrequently, letting the soil dry between drinks. Once established it asks for very little. Feed a palm and cycad fertiliser in spring and again in late summer. Yellowing on new fronds usually signals a manganese shortage rather than a watering problem.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Remove only fully brown fronds, cutting close to the trunk. Never take green fronds off a cycad, because it stores nutrients in them and the next flush may be a year away.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis cycad is grown here across eleven sizes: 140mm, 175mm and 200mm packs, then 300mm, 400mm and 500mm pots, and 45L, 90L, 100L, 200L and 400L specimens. The difference between them is years rather than months. Small sizes reward patience; the large containers are what you buy when you want a mature trunk now.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCycads travel exceptionally well, because the fronds are rigid and hold little moisture. Plants are delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost, and every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/your-ideal-tropical-poolside-plants-for-low-maintenance-bliss\"\u003eChoosing low maintenance poolside plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-poolside-gardens\"\u003eBrowse plants suited to poolside gardens\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/palms-ferns-tropical\"\u003ePalms, ferns and tropical foliage plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-coastal-areas\"\u003ePlants that handle coastal conditions\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs the sago palm toxic to pets?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, seriously so. Every part contains cycasin and the seeds are the most concentrated. Ingestion by a dog or cat is a veterinary emergency and can be fatal, so do not plant it where a pet digs or chews, and remove any seeds that form.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow fast does it grow?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVery slowly. Expect one flush of new fronds a year in warm conditions, and often less. A plant carrying a 30cm trunk usually has ten years or more of growing behind it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eCan I grow it indoors?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt will live indoors in a very bright spot, though growth almost stops and the fronds stretch if the light is poor. Given the toxicity, an indoor position within reach of a pet or a small child is not a good idea.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"140mm (Pack of 10)","offer_id":54140109259071,"sku":"CYC-REV-140MM-P10","price":403.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"200mm (Pack of 6)","offer_id":54140109127999,"sku":"CYC-REV-200MM-P6","price":435.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"300mm","offer_id":54140109193535,"sku":"CYC-REV-300MM","price":260.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"400mm","offer_id":54140109160767,"sku":"CYC-REV-400MM","price":653.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"500mm","offer_id":54140109226303,"sku":"CYC-REV-500MM","price":981.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100L","offer_id":54140109357375,"sku":"CYC-REV-100L","price":1897.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"200L","offer_id":44219775418687,"sku":"CYC-REV-200L","price":4812.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"300L","offer_id":55100289810751,"sku":"CYC-REV-300L","price":4812.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"400L","offer_id":51652200366399,"sku":"CYC-REV-400L","price":13750.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"500L","offer_id":55100289941823,"sku":"CYC-REV-500L","price":13750.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/Sago-Palm-Cycad-Cycas-revoluta.png?v=1794661582"},{"product_id":"chestnut-dioon-dioon-edule","title":"Chestnut Dioon - Dioon edule","description":"\u003cp\u003eChestnut Dioon (\u003cem\u003eDioon edule\u003c\/em\u003e) is a Mexican cycad that holds a perfectly symmetrical rosette of stiff, blue green fronds above a slowly thickening trunk. It reaches about 1.5m tall and wide, and takes decades to get there. That slowness is the appeal: it keeps its shape without shaping, and it handles drought, heat, poor soil and salt spray.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIt never outgrows the spot.\u003c\/strong\u003e At roughly 1.5m in each direction after many years, it can sit beside a path or pool and never need cutting back.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBuilt for hard sites.\u003c\/strong\u003e Drought and heat tolerant, happy in poor soil, and salt tolerant enough for a coastal front garden.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eClean and quiet.\u003c\/strong\u003e No flowering mess and almost no litter, just an occasional old frond to remove.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAn architectural form.\u003c\/strong\u003e The rosette reads as sculpture, which is why designers use it where a shrub looks soft.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeature planting.\u003c\/strong\u003e One plant against a rendered wall, gravel or paving carries a courtyard. Set it where you see it from indoors.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePoolside and rockeries.\u003c\/strong\u003e It tolerates reflected heat, salt and chlorine splash, and drops little litter near water. In a rockery, plant it high where drainage is sharpest.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePots and containers.\u003c\/strong\u003e A wide, heavy pot suits it for years, since the root system is slow and undemanding.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOne warning.\u003c\/strong\u003e All cycads are highly toxic to dogs, cats and livestock. The seeds are the worst part, and even a small amount can cause liver failure, so do not plant it where a dog digs or chews.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Chestnut Dioon in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun to partial shade, with the bluest fronds in an open sunny spot. It suits tropical, subtropical, warm temperate, arid and semi-arid and Mediterranean gardens. It takes light frost only, so in cold inland and frosty southern gardens grow it in a pot you can shelter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Sharp drainage matters more than fertility. Sandy or gravelly soil is ideal; on clay, plant high on a mound with coarse material through the backfill. Wet feet in winter is the one thing that kills it.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Water weekly for the first summer, then only in long dry spells. A slow release fertiliser with trace elements once in spring is enough, and a little magnesium keeps old fronds green.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Cut old or damaged fronds off close to the trunk once the new flush has hardened. New fronds come in a single push every year or two, so leave the old ring in place until the replacement is firm.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis cycad is sold in 45L and 60L, and both represent many years in the nursery, which is why an advanced dioon costs what it does. You are buying a formed trunk and a full crown, not something that fills out next season.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eCycads travel well. The fronds are rigid and hold little water stress, so expect yours to arrive as it left. Plant at the same depth it sat in the pot, water in, then leave it alone. Delivered Australia wide, delivery from $29.95, and advanced and large stock is freighted at cost. Every plant carries our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/cycad-care-guide\"\u003eThe complete cycad care guide\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/architectural-plants-for-designer-gardens\"\u003eArchitectural plants for designer gardens\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-poolside-gardens\"\u003ePoolside planting options\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/rockery-plants\"\u003eRockery and dry garden plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow fast does it grow?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVery slowly. Expect one new ring of fronds every one to two years and a few centimetres of trunk in a decade. Buy the size you want to look at.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs it safe around dogs?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Every part is toxic to dogs and cats, and the seeds are the most dangerous. Plant it out of reach if your dog chews or digs, and clear any fallen seed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eCan it stay in a pot permanently?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYes, and it is one of the better cycads for it. Use a wide pot with free draining mix and repot every five years or so.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow much frost will it take?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLight frost once established, and no more. Young plants are more vulnerable, so protect them for their first two winters.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"400mm","offer_id":55100385526079,"sku":"DIO-EDU-400MM","price":495.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/Chestnut-Dioon-Dioon-edule.jpg?v=1741858617"},{"product_id":"giant-dioon-dioon-spinulosum","title":"Giant Dioon - Dioon spinulosum","description":"\u003cp\u003eGiant Dioon (\u003cem\u003eDioon spinulosum\u003c\/em\u003e) is a sculptural cycad with long arching fronds, growing with great patience to about 2.5m tall and 2m wide in an Australian garden. In its Central American habitat it can build a 12m trunk over centuries; in your lifetime it behaves as a refined architectural feature that never outgrows its place. Drought tolerant, salt tolerant and close to zero maintenance, it is as reliable as statement plants get.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLiving sculpture.\u003c\/strong\u003e The symmetrical crown of arching fronds looks composed from every angle, doing the work of an art piece in a courtyard or entry.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIt keeps its scale.\u003c\/strong\u003e Extremely slow growth means the plant you position today still fits that spot in twenty years, with no pruning battles.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTough beyond its looks.\u003c\/strong\u003e Heat, drought, salt spray and coastal wind are all within its range once established.\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePerfect in a pot.\u003c\/strong\u003e Slow growth and a compact root system make it a long term container plant for terraces and paved courtyards.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeature planting.\u003c\/strong\u003e Give it a clear position where the symmetry can be seen: beside an entry, centred in a gravel bed or against a plain rendered wall.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePots and containers.\u003c\/strong\u003e A wide, stable pot with a free draining mix suits it for many years.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePoolside and rockeries.\u003c\/strong\u003e It drops little, tolerates reflected heat and looks at home among stone, which is why it appears in so many designer pool landscapes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Giant Dioon in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun to light shade in tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens. It takes light frost only: in colder districts grow it in a container and move it under cover through winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Free draining, always. Sandy and gravelly soils are ideal; on clay, plant on a raised mound or keep it potted. Waterlogging is the one reliable way to kill a cycad.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Water every week or two through the first summer, then only in long dry spells. A half strength slow release feed in spring is ample. Overwatering does far more harm than neglect.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning.\u003c\/strong\u003e Remove spent lower fronds at the trunk as they age. The leaflets carry small spines, so wear gloves and long sleeves for the job.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe sell Giant Dioon in a 200mm pot, supplied as a pack of 6 for repeated designer plantings, and as a single established 400mm plant. Because cycads grow so slowly, the 400mm size represents years of nursery time and arrives with genuine presence; the 200mm plants are younger and suit buyers planting for the long game. Expect little visible change for months at a time: cycads push new fronds in occasional flushes, usually in warm weather.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePlants are packed to travel upright and delivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/beautiful-plants-for-low-maintenance-gardens-in-architectural-design\"\u003eLow maintenance plants for architectural gardens\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/architectural-plants-for-designer-gardens\"\u003eBrowse architectural and designer plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/exotic-and-rare-plants\"\u003eExplore exotic and rare plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n  \u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-poolside-gardens\"\u003ePlants for poolside gardens\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow fast does it grow?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVery slowly, and that is the point. Expect a flush or two of new fronds a year in warm climates and a plant that holds its size and shape for decades. Buy the largest size you can afford, because you cannot hurry a cycad.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eIs it safe around pets?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Like all cycads, every part of the plant is highly toxic to cats and dogs if chewed. Position it out of reach of pets that browse plants, or choose something from our pet safe range instead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWill it survive frost?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLight frost only. Foliage burns in a hard freeze and repeated frosts will kill it. In frosty districts keep it potted and move it under a verandah or a bright window over winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow long can it stay in a pot?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMany years. Slow growth means repotting only every four to five years, into a pot one size larger with a coarse free draining mix. It is one of the easiest feature plants to keep in a container permanently.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"200mm (Pack of 6)","offer_id":54140133245247,"sku":"DIO-SPI-200MM-P6","price":697.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"300mm","offer_id":55100386050367,"sku":"DIO-SPI-300MM","price":204.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"400mm","offer_id":44967230767423,"sku":"DIO-SPI-400MM","price":495.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"500mm","offer_id":55100386083135,"sku":"DIO-SPI-500MM","price":1485.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"100L","offer_id":55100386148671,"sku":"DIO-SPI-100L","price":1650.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"400L","offer_id":55100386181439,"sku":"DIO-SPI-400L","price":10587.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/Giant-Dioon-Dioon-spinulosum.jpg?v=1741858619"},{"product_id":"tongaland-cycad-encephalartos-ferox","title":"Tongaland Cycad - Encephalartos ferox","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe Tongaland cycad (\u003cem\u003eEncephalartos ferox\u003c\/em\u003e) is one of the most sculptural plants you can put in a garden, holding at about 1.5m tall and 2m across after many years. Its leaves are rigid and deeply toothed, arranged in a symmetrical rosette that looks deliberate from every angle. Mature plants push bright red cones out of the crown instead of flowers. It comes from the coastal dunes of south east Africa, which is why salt, wind and heat barely register.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIt works as architecture.\u003c\/strong\u003e The stiff, glossy, holly-like leaflets hold their form year round, so one plant anchors a bed the way a boulder would.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRed cones you will not see elsewhere.\u003c\/strong\u003e Established specimens produce vivid scarlet cones from the centre of the crown, the reason this species is so sought after.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGenuinely coastal.\u003c\/strong\u003e Salt tolerant, drought tolerant once established, and comfortable in both humidity and dry heat.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNothing to maintain.\u003c\/strong\u003e No pruning, no shaping, no spraying schedule. Cut off the old fronds once a year and that is the job done.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeature planting.\u003c\/strong\u003e Give it a clear 2m of space in an open bed, in gravel or low groundcover, and let the form do the work. Crowding it with shrubs wastes the plant.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePoolside and courtyards.\u003c\/strong\u003e The foliage is clean and it does not shed constantly, so it suits a pool surround. Keep it back from paths and seating, because the leaf margins are sharply spined.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLarge pots and rockeries.\u003c\/strong\u003e Sharp drainage suits it, which makes a big pot or a raised rockery pocket an easy home in a garden with heavy soil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Tongaland cycad in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun produces the tightest, most compact crown, though it accepts part shade with longer leaves. This is a plant for tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens. It handles light frost only, so cold inland, tableland and southern gardens should grow it in a pot that can be moved under cover for winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Free draining, sandy or gritty soil is essential. On clay, plant high on a raised mound and open the bed up with coarse sand and gravel. Wet feet in winter is the one thing that reliably kills a cycad.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Deep soak every ten to fourteen days through the first two summers, then only in extended dry spells. A slow release palm and cycad fertiliser in early spring is all the feeding it needs.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning and growth rate.\u003c\/strong\u003e It is slow, adding a flush of new leaves once a year or so. Cut spent fronds off close to the trunk when they yellow, and wear gloves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is offered in one size, a 110L pot. That is an advanced specimen with a formed trunk and a full crown, representing many years of growing, so it arrives as the finished plant rather than a start on one. It is heavy, so plan for two people and a trolley on delivery day.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDelivered Australia wide, with delivery from $29.95. Advanced and large stock is freighted at cost. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/cycad-care-guide\"\u003eOur full cycad care guide\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/architectural-plants-for-designer-gardens\"\u003eArchitectural plants for designer gardens\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/plants-for-poolside-gardens\"\u003ePlants that suit a pool surround\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/collections\/exotic-and-rare-plants\"\u003eBrowse exotic and rare plants\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs it safe around dogs?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. All parts of a cycad, and the seed in particular, are highly toxic to dogs, and a small amount can cause liver failure. If your dog chews plants, choose something else.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eHow fast does it grow?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSlowly, which is why advanced plants cost what they do. Expect one flush of new leaves a year in warm conditions and very little visible trunk growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch3\u003eWill it survive frost?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLight frost only. A brief touch of cold does little harm in a sheltered spot, but repeated hard frosts will damage the crown, so cold districts should keep it potted and protected.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"110L (Backorder)","offer_id":44970310009151,"sku":"ENC-FER-110L","price":2929.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/Tongaland-Cycad-Encephalartos-ferox.jpg?v=1741858631"},{"product_id":"whitelocks-cycad-encephalartos-whitelockii","title":"Whitelock's Cycad - Encephalartos whitelockii","description":"\u003cp\u003eWhitelock's Cycad (\u003cem\u003eEncephalartos whitelockii\u003c\/em\u003e) is a collector's plant that reads as living sculpture. It builds to about 2m of trunk and 2.5m across over decades, carrying a rigid crown of long blue green fronds that hold their shape in wind and heat. Growth is very slow, which is why a specimen of any size costs what it does, and why it stays in proportion once placed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy you'll love it\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eArchitecture that needs no maintenance.\u003c\/strong\u003e A symmetrical crown of stiff fronds holds its form year round, with nothing to prune, deadhead or shape.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSlow enough to be permanent.\u003c\/strong\u003e New fronds come in a flush every year or two, so the plant you place is close to the plant you keep.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGenuinely tough.\u003c\/strong\u003e Drought tolerant, heat tolerant and comfortable in humidity once the caudex has established.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eRarity you can see.\u003c\/strong\u003e A Ugandan species seldom offered in Australia, and the sort of plant a designed garden is built around.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhere it works best\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFeature planting.\u003c\/strong\u003e One plant in an open bed, uplit at night, does more for a garden than a dozen shrubs. Allow a full 3m circle so the fronds are never brushed against.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePots and containers.\u003c\/strong\u003e A wide, heavy pot at least 600mm across suits it, in a gritty free draining mix. Container growing slows it further and keeps it portable, which matters in cooler gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eRockeries and dry gardens.\u003c\/strong\u003e Set among boulders with a gravel mulch it looks at home.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Whitelock's Cycad in Australia\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePosition and climate.\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun gives the tightest, most upright crown. It suits tropical, subtropical and warm temperate gardens and takes light frost only, so cold inland and southern gardens need it potted and moved under cover for winter.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil.\u003c\/strong\u003e Sharp drainage above everything else: a gritty sandy loam in the ground, or a cactus grade mix in pots. Wet feet through winter rot the caudex, and that damage cannot be undone.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater and feed.\u003c\/strong\u003e Water deeply but infrequently, letting the soil dry between drinks, and cut right back in the cool months. A slow release fertiliser once in spring is enough, because cycads take what they need slowly.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHandling and safety.\u003c\/strong\u003e All parts of a cycad are highly toxic to people, cats, dogs and livestock if eaten, and even a small amount causes serious liver damage. Plant it where pets and children do not browse, and wear gloves, because the frond tips are sharp.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat to expect when it arrives\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTwo sizes are grown: 45L and 90L. Both are established plants with a formed crown rather than seedlings, and the 90L carries noticeably more trunk. Nothing about a cycad happens quickly, so buy the size you want to look at, not the size you hope will catch up.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThey travel well, because the fronds are rigid and the plant carries its own water reserve. A frond marked in transit is replaced at the next flush rather than repaired. Delivered Australia wide, delivery from $29.95, and advanced and large stock is freighted at cost. Every plant is covered by our 30 day healthy plant guarantee.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003ePlant care guides and related reading\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRead the \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/blog\/cycad-care-guide\"\u003ecycad care guide\u003c\/a\u003e for watering, feeding and frond management.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBrowse \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/exotic-and-rare-plants\"\u003eexotic and rare plants\u003c\/a\u003e for other collector specimens.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCompare \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/architectural-plants-for-designer-gardens\"\u003earchitectural plants\u003c\/a\u003e for a designed garden.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFind companions in the \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/rockery-plants\"\u003erockery plant range\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCommon questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eIs it safe around pets?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eNo. Every part of the plant, and the seed especially, is highly toxic to cats, dogs and livestock, and ingestion is a veterinary emergency. If your dog chews plants, this is not the right choice for your garden.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eHow fast does it grow?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVery slowly. Expect one flush of new fronds a year in a warm garden, sometimes only one every two years, and trunk height measured in decades rather than seasons.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eWhy are the older fronds going yellow?\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA cycad sheds its oldest ring of fronds as a new flush hardens, which is normal. Yellowing across the whole crown at once points to overwatering or poor drainage instead.\u003c\/p\u003e\n","brand":"Nursery Near Me","offers":[{"title":"45L","offer_id":44970392027455,"sku":"ENC-WHI-45L","price":1980.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"90L (Backorder)","offer_id":50438157500735,"sku":"ENC-WHI-90L","price":3188.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/files\/Whitelocks-Cycad-Encephalartos-whitelockii.jpg?v=1741858632"}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0691\/2917\/5359\/collections\/Sago-Palm-Cycad-Cycas-revoluta.jpg?v=1794666939","url":"https:\/\/nurserynearme.com.au\/collections\/cycads.oembed","provider":"Nursery Near Me","version":"1.0","type":"link"}