Cardboard Palm

Light Needs

Bright Indirect Light

Mature Height

4 - 5 Feet

Mature Spread

6 Feet

Feature

Rare

With Cardboard Palm, you can impress your friends by growing something that has been around since the time of the dinosaurs, even if your plant is brand new. Cardboard Palm (also known as Cardboard Plant and Zamia furfuracea) actually is a cycad instead of a palm, but its fronds resemble palms. The shrub is native to the Americas, especially areas with tropical climates. It's a tough plant that requires bright light but little care. If you live in zones 9 to 11, you can grow Cardboard Palm outdoors. If not, pot it as a pretty tropical houseplant.

Cardboard Palm fronds grow to at least 3 feet long, with 12 pairs of leaves that run side-by-side down the stems. Outdoors, the plant can reach nearly 6 feet in diameter. The fleshy leaves are a deep green for an exotic look and a perfect backdrop for flowering plants in the landscape or indoor containers. Because the trunk is thick and fleshy, Cardboard Palm can handle drought, just adding to its easy care.

Cardboard Palm Care

Water your new Cardboard Palm a little more often in the first year, until it is established in the ground or container. After that, only water when the soil feels dry; too much water can cause root rot. The plants can handle direct sunlight or part shade. The only thing they can't take is freezing cold. Cardboard Palms grow slowly, another perfect indoor plant feature. You can fertilize twice a year (early spring and fall) if you like. All parts of Cardboard Palm are toxic, so keep your plant away from curious pets.

Cardboard Palm Spacing

In the landscape, plant your Cardboard Palm in well-draining soil no closer than 6 feet to other plants if possible. The easy-care plant grows well indoors in regular potting mix and will need repotting after a few years if the roots outgrow the container.

SKU:

CBPALM