Quick answer: Cycad seeds are slow. Soak for 24–48 hours, half-bury them in moist, gritty mix at 80–90°F, and expect sprouts in 1–6 months.

Learning how to grow from seed? Head over to our planting guide!

Zamia Integrifolia "Coontie Palm" Seeds - Plantflix

details

Difficulty Advanced
Germination 1–6 months
Temperature 80–90°F
Depth Half-buried
Seed prep Pre-soak in water for 12-24 hours
Method Greenhouse
Time to maturity 12+ months
Light Full Sun / Part Sun / Grow Lights
Pet-friendly No
cycad seeds

instructions

  1. Clean (gloves on). Remove any red fleshy coat(our seeds don't come with this). All parts of this plant are toxic.
  2. Soak. Soak in warm water for 24–48 hours.
  3. Half-bury. Press each seed halfway into moist, gritty mix in a deep pot.
  4. Heat. Keep at 75–90°F on a seedling heat mat under a humidity dome, and keep lightly moist.
  5. Wait it out. A root appears first, then the first leaf, sometimes months later.
Zamia Furfuracea 'Cardboard Palm' Seeds - Plantflix

things to know

  • Cycads aren't palms: they're an ancient plant group that grows slowly.
  • Cardboard palm (Zamia furfuracea): stiff, fuzzy, rounded leaflets.
  • Coontie palm(Zamia integrifolia): Florida's native cycad, with fern-like leaves.
  • Dioon spinulosum: a large, spiny-leaved cycad; the slowest to sprout.
  • Highly toxic: all parts, especially the seeds, are poisonous to pets and people.
  • Pick a planter that holds moisture: plastic, rice hull or ceramic, with a dome. Skip terra cotta, peat pots, coco coir pots and egg cartons. They wick water away from the seed.
  • New to seeds? Start with our seed prep guide and planting guide.
grow your own!

plant care tips

  • Light: bright light to full sun, or a strong grow light.
  • Water: let the top inch dry between waterings.
  • Growth: expect only 1–2 new leaves a year at first.
  • Feeding: light palm/cycad fertilizer in spring and summer.
  • Pests: watch for scale and mealybugs.
try them out!

faqs

How long do cardboard palm seeds take to sprout?

Anywhere from 1 to 6 months. Heat helps most.

Is a cardboard palm a real palm?

No, it's a cycad.

Can it grow indoors?

Yes, in a very bright spot.

Is a cardboard palm pet-safe?

No. It's highly toxic to pets and people. Keep the seeds and plant out of reach.

these are key aspects of your setup

check your setup!

  • 💡light: is your setup away from direct sun? these seeds should stay in indirect or filtered light, or better yet, under grow lights.
  • 💧moisture: does the soil feel very moist to the touch?
  • 🌡️temperature: is the setup away from direct sun, open windows, or heat vents? make sure it stays consistently between 70F-90F (use a heat mat if the temperature falls under 70F)
  • ☁️humidity: do you see condensation on the humidity dome? if not, make sure the dome is fully sealed, the setup is warm enough, and there's enough moisture in the soil.
  • 💚care: leave the dome on and only open it once a week to add water.
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