Cycads: Ancient Beauties for the Backyard

If there’s a plant that can make you feel like you’ve stepped into the Jurassic, it’s a cycad. I’ve seen them stop people mid-step — partly because they look like palms that time-traveled straight out of a dinosaur scene, and partly because they just feel important. They’ve been around longer than flowers, bees, and most of what we call “life as usual” in the garden. When I plant one, I can’t help thinking, “You’ve been here 280 million years — I hope you like your new spot next to the birdbath.”

Older Than Dinosaurs — Literally

Here’s the timeline in plain dirt:

• First roots: Cycads showed up over 280 million years ago, before dinosaurs, before grasses, before most plants we know.
• Golden age: They hit their prime in the Mesozoic, about 200–145 million years back. Imagine entire landscapes dotted with cycads while sauropods lumbered past.
• World travelers: Fossils have been found on every continent — even Antarctica, back when it was warm and green.
• Survivors: They’ve made it through mass extinctions, ice ages, and continents drifting apart. And here they are, still wearing the same “outfit” they had in the Jurassic.

Why Gardeners (and Collectors) Go Nuts for Them

• Sculptural looks — Perfect symmetry, strong lines, and those dramatic fronds that arch just so.
• Low fuss — Once they settle in, they’ll shrug off dry spells and poor soils.
• Container champs — They thrive in big pots, which is great if your winters are cold.
• Living antiques — There’s something satisfying about tending a plant that’s been around since before flowers existed.
• Collectible status — Some species are rare, slow to grow, and valuable. A mature, unusual cycad can fetch serious money in plant circles.

The Whole Family Tree

Below is the official roster of cycad genera. Think of it as the “family reunion” guest list, from common garden favorites to species you’ll probably only see in a botanical collection.

The Cycads You’re Most Likely to See in a Garden

• Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta) — The classic choice. Hardy, good in pots, and a reliable performer.
• Cardboard Palm (Zamia furfuracea) — Small, fuzzy leaves; perfect for patios.
• Queen Sago (Cycas rumphii) — Bigger and looser than the common sago; a graceful presence.
• Dioon edule — Tough as nails, with a clean, architectural look.

Soil: The Deal-Breaker

If there’s one thing cycads won’t forgive, it’s wet feet. Their roots need to breathe.
Here’s what works:

Bagged mixes that behave:

• FoxFarm Ocean Forest (cut with sand or pumice for extra drainage)
• Black Gold Cactus Mix
• Miracle-Gro Cactus, Palm & Citrus Mix (with added perlite)
• Kellogg Palm, Cactus & Citrus Mix

DIY blend I’ve used and liked:

• 40% high-quality potting soil
• 40% coarse sand or horticultural grit
• 20% perlite or pumice

If you grab a handful and squeeze, it should crumble — not squish.

Feeding Them Right

Cycads aren’t pigs at the trough — they prefer steady, moderate feeding with the right trace nutrients.

Timing:

• 2–3 times from spring through early fall
• Skip winter feedings

Fertilizer picks:

• Palm blends with manganese (Jobe’s Organics Palm, Espoma Palm-Tone)
• Slow-release balanced fertilizer (Osmocote Plus)
• Liquid kelp or fish emulsion for gentle boosts
• Manganese sulfate drench for frizzle top (yellow, crinkled new leaves)

Tips from experience:

• Always water before applying granular feed.
• Worm castings make a nice top-dress in pots — mild, adds life to the soil.
• Don’t use lawn fertilizer — too much nitrogen makes floppy, weak fronds.

General Care

• Light: Full sun to partial shade (depends on species).
• Water: Deep soak, let the top inch dry before watering again.
• Pruning: Cut off old, brown fronds at the base.
• Cold: Protect from frost or move pots indoors.

Why Collectors Hunt Them Down

Some folks collect coins or stamps — others collect plants that have been around since pterodactyls. Rare cycads are:

• Status plants — owning a hard-to-find species is bragging rights in plant circles.
• Long-term investments — slow growth + rarity = high value.
• Living history pieces — some cultivated cycads are centuries old.

Many species are protected under CITES, so legal sourcing matters — buy from licensed growers or botanical garden sales.