Is the cycad hardy?

Very few cycads are well hardy

Most species of cycads originally come from the warm tropical regions of the world. Since they do not know any frost there, they cannot tolerate sub-zero temperatures in this country either. For some cycads, temperatures as low as 0 ° C can mean the end soon. But there are also extremely sensitive specialists who get frostbite at temperatures around 5 ° C. Other cycads are a bit more robust ...

Nurseries offer frost-hardy cycads

In some nurseries and online shops, cycads are sold that are less sensitive to frost demonstrate. Neither their roots nor their trunk or their fronds freeze to death at 0 ° C.

Examples of these cycads include the following specimens:

• Cycas media (-3 ° C)
• Cycas panzhihuaensis (-16 ° C) (most frost hardy species)
• Cycas revoluta (-8 ° C)
• Dioon argenteum (-4 ° C)
• Macrozamia stenomera (-10 ° C)
• Macrozamia diplomera (-8 ° C)
• Macrozamia platyrhachis (-8 ° C)
• Macrozamia macdonnellii (-6 ° C)
• Macrozamia reducta (-6 ° C)
• Macrozamia longispina (-4 ° C)

How to deal with cycads that are not hardy

Have you bought a cycad that is not hardy in this country? Or do you live in a region where heavy frosts are not uncommon in winter? Then you should definitely protect your cycad. Since there is a wintering not worth it outdoors, the cycad should be quartered at home.

This should be taken into account:

• quarter from the end of September / October
• Cycad in a cool room e.g. B. Winter garden, bedroom, stairwell
• ideal room temperatures for wintering: 5 to 10 ° C
• high humidity is ideal
• the colder the less light is needed
• from 15 ° C growth is stimulated
• shady location is suitable
• Water moderately during the winter, do not fertilize

Tips & Tricks

Cycads grow extremely slowly. Therefore, you shouldn't risk frostbite and you shouldn't put the plant to the test in terms of its minimum temperature.