Do you want an easy-to-care-for plant that will make your home look beautiful?

The Zamia furfuracea, also known as the cardboard plant, cardboard palm and the Jamaican sago, is a good plant for beginners. Native to Mexico and belonging to the Zamiaceae family, its leaves are pinnate, stiff, and arranged in spirals. They’re dark green on top and silver-green on the bottom, with sharp edges.

You’ll love how this attractive plant enhances your home. Its foliage is sure to catch everyone’s eye. 

What is the Zamia furfuracea plant?

This evergreen perennial reaches up to approximately 4 feet (1.2m) in height indoors and has a cylindrical trunk with light brown bark.

Despite being commonly called cardboard palm, this plant is not related to the Arecaceae family and is not considered to be a palm. It is, however, distantly related to cycads, which explains its resemblance to these plants.  

Cycads are cone-bearing plants that have been around for millions of years. They’re actually more closely related to conifers than they are to palms, despite their palm-like appearance. As previously outlined, the Zamia furfuracea is distantly related to cycads and shares some similarities with these plants.

This plant has been around since the dinosaurs and is one of the oldest living plants on Earth. It’s a tough plant that can withstand neglect, but it will thrive with proper care.

Caring for your Zamia furfuracea plant

Now, let’s get into how to care for this low maintenance plant.

Light 

The Zamia furfuracea prefers bright light.  Your best bet is to place it by a sunny window. Make sure to rotate it regularly so that all sides of the plant get an equal amount of light.  If you don’t rotate it, your plant won’t grow symmetrically. 

Watering

This is a drought-tolerant plant, so you don’t need to water it frequently. During the growing season, water your zamia plant when the top inch of the soil is dry.  Decrease watering by roughly 50% in the winter compared to what you watered throughout the growing season.

Fertilizing

Your zamia plant doesn’t need to be fertilized often. Once in the spring and once in the fall is more than sufficient. Use a slow-release fertilizer.

Soil

While it’s not particular about soil type, a well-draining soil is ideal. Still, your plant can grow in sandy soil.

Cacti and palm potting mix is a great option for this plant.

Pruning

Pruning is not required often.  Brown leaves can be cut off at the base. Any dead leaves should also be removed.

Temperature & Humidity

Average household temperatures and humidity are preferable.  However, it cannot withstand temperatures below 50°F (10°C ).

If the temperature in your home dips below 50°F (10°C), move your plant to a warmer location.

Toxicity

This plant is toxic to people and pets if ingested. For this reason, keep it out of reach of children and pets.

Repotting

The Zamia furfuracea doesn’t need to be repotted often. Once every two to three years is sufficient.

When repotting, use a cacti and palm potting mix. Be sure to choose a pot that is only slightly larger than the current one.

Propagation 

Here’s a video demonstrating how to propagate your zamia from seeds.

Alternatively, you can propagate by division. To do this, carefully remove the plant from its pot and then divide it into two or three sections, making sure that each section has a good root system.

Next, replant each section in its own pot filled with well-draining soil. Then, water the plants well and place them in a sunny location.

Common issues

The Zamia furfuracea is susceptible to mealybugs, scale, and fungal diseases. Mealybugs are small, white insects that feed on plant sap. They can cause the leaves of the Zamia furfuracea to turn yellow and drop off. Scale are small, brown insects that also feed on plant sap. They can infest the trunk and leaves of the Zamia furfuracea, causing the plant to become stunted and deformed. Fungal diseases can cause the leaves of the Zamia furfuracea to turn yellow, brown, or black. These diseases are often caused by overwatering or humid conditions.

To deal with these issues, it’s important to choose a well-draining potting mix and to water the plant only when the soil is dry. Additionally, it’s important to keep the plant in a warm, dry environment. If you notice mealybugs, scale, or fungal diseases, you can treat them with an insecticidal soap or a fungicide.

FAQs

Why is it called the cardboard plant?

It’s called the cardboard plant because its leaves are stiff and papery. When the leaves are young, they’re soft and flexible. But as they age, they become more rigid and paper-like. 

Is the Zamia furfuracea a slow growing plant?

Yes, the Zamia furfuracea is a slow growing plant. It can take many years for it to reach its full height of approximately 4 feet. So be patient when caring for this plant! 

Does the Zamia furfuracea ever get mistaken for the Zamioculcas zamiifolia?

Yes, the Zamia furfuracea is often confused with the Zamioculcas zamiifolia, which is also known as the ZZ plant. The ZZ plant is a type of succulent that shares some similarities with the Zamia furfuracea. However, there are some key differences between these two plants. For example, the Zamia furfuracea has stiff, papery leaves, while the ZZ plant has fleshy, succulent leaves.  Additionally, the ZZ plant has rhizomes, which are thick, fleshy, underground stems. These rhizomes store water and nutrients, which help the plant to survive in dry conditions. The Zamia furfuracea does not have rhizomes.

Conclusion

So, if you’re looking for an easy-to-care-for plant, look no further. This Zamia furfuracea is a good choice for beginners. It’s also attractive and will brighten up your home.  All you need to do is follow these care tips for your plant to thrive. 

Why not give this plant a try? You won’t be disappointed.