Cycas is a popular indoor or patio plant when grown in a pot. With a short trunk and beautiful glossy foliage that makes it look like a palm tree, cycas is an easy plant to grow.
A primitive plant
Cycas are primitive plants belonging to the Cycadaceae family. Neither ferns nor palms but intermediate between the two, they grow naturally on rocky slopes or in dry, open forests in Australia, Japan, Madagascar and the Pacific Islands. The genus is composed of about fifteen species of which Cycas revoluta, and Cycas media, which are the most commonly cultivated.
Very ornamental, these plants are however cold; they will be planted in the open ground only in regions where frost does not occur. That is why, a culture in pot is recommended everywhere else in order to be able to winter the plant out of frost during the cold season.
How to plant cycas in a pot?
- Choose a large enough and heavy enough container so that the plant does not tip over. The container should have a hole in the bottom to prevent the roots from rotting.
- Place a pebble at the bottom of the pot and pour a good layer of clay balls to ensure good drainage (about 20% of the volume of the pot).
- The nature of the mixture is very important in the culture of cycas; simple potting soil will not be sufficient because it needs a very rich substrate. Make a mixture of clay garden soil, compost, coarse river sand and pine bark. Add a little charcoal powder to this mixture.
- Spread a layer of the mixture over the clay balls and place your plant in the center of the pot.
- Pour the mixture around the root ball to fill in any gaps and pack the soil around the stipe.
- Water copiously and add more mix if necessary.
How to grow cycas in a pot?
Cycas need bright light to grow well. Place it in a winter garden, a veranda or a bright apartment. Shade the windows during the hottest hours of the day if they are facing south.
In the summer, when frost is no longer a concern, you can gradually bring your plant out into the sun on the terrace or balcony. It will spend the summer there and will then be brought back before the first frost.
If you choose to grow your plant outdoors all year round, remember to protect the pot with bubble wrap and the aerial parts of the plant with a winter veil if you do not live in a privileged region.
As far as watering is concerned, cycas needs water regularly during the growing period but let the mixture dry on a few centimeters before watering again because this plant hates having its roots constantly bathed.
In winter and outdoors, let nature take its course. Indoors, water every 15 days and allow a short dry period during the coldest months.
A repotting may be necessary every 4 years in spring in the same type of mixture. If the subject becomes too big to be repotted, be satisfied with a surfacing with compost and crushed horn powder every year.
