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cycad growth rate

Understanding the cycad growth rate is essential for gardeners and plant enthusiasts looking to add these stunning prehistoric plants to their gardens. Known for their impressive symmetry and unique foliage, cycads are ancient plants with a well-deserved reputation for slow growth. Whether you’re interested in growing them for landscaping or as indoor specimens, knowing what to expect from your cycad’s development will help you cultivate patience and set realistic goals for your garden.

camellia-williamsii-water-lily-1

Camellia 'Water Lily'

Camellia 'Water Lily' is an elegant evergreen shrub admired for its soft pink layered blooms that resemble a water lily. It brings refined colour to New Zealand gardens from late winter into spring when many plants are still dormant.

From $27.95

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Shrubs
Height: 2.00 m
Spread: 1.50 m
Flowering time: Spring, Winter
Garden uses: Containers, Hedging, Living areas, Parks, Pool areas, Specimen
Garden styles: Backyard, City & Courtyard, Formal, Frontyard, Japanese, Modern
Cycas revoluta (Sago Palm) in a luxurious garden.

Cycas revoluta

5 from 1 customers

Cycas revoluta, commonly known as the Sago Palm, King Sago, Sago Cycad, or Japanese Sago Palm, is an impressive and popular, small Palm tree. It grows with a fibrous trunk which is topped with a whorl of feathery, dark green fronds held with a gentle arch as it grows to 3 m tall and the same wide.

From $359.91

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Palms
Height: 3.00 m
Spread: 3.00 m
Garden uses: Containers, Living areas, Parks, Pool areas, Screening, Specimen
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Tropical
camellia-roma-red-
Camellia Roma Red

Camellia 'Roma Red' is a striking evergreen shrub known for its rich red blooms and glossy green foliage. It delivers bold winter to spring colour in...

From$34.95
Syzygium Resilience hedge.
Syzygium 'Resilience'

Syzygium 'Resilience', commonly known as Lilly Pilly 'Resilience', is a popular evergreen shrub valued for its glossy foliage, dense growth habit...

From$281.05
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Camellia With Love

Camellia 'With Love' is a charming evergreen shrub known for its soft romantic blooms and glossy green foliage. It provides beautiful winter to...

From$27.95
camellia-japonica-roger-hall-
Camellia 'Roger Hall'

Camellia 'Roger Hall' is a beautiful evergreen shrub known for its soft pink blooms that bring elegance and seasonal colour to New Zealand gardens...

From$27.95
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Helipterum Paper Cascade

Helipterum 'Paper Cascade' is a charming flowering plant prized for its masses of papery blooms and cascading growth habit. The colourful flowers...

From$26.15
grape-steubens--1
Grape 'Steubens'

Grape 'Steubens' is a popular table grape known for its sweet, juicy red berries and reliable performance in NZ gardens. This vigorous vine produces...

From$30.29
Buxus microphylla 'Koreana' (Korean Box) plant with lush, green foliage.
Buxus koreana (Korean Boxwood)

Buxus koreana, commonly known as Korean Box, is a cold-hardy, evergreen shrub ideal for low hedging and formal borders in New Zealand gardens. It...

From$16.95
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Thuja plicata 'Old Gold'

Thuja plicata 'Old Gold' is a striking evergreen conifer valued for its rich golden foliage and dense growth habit. The vibrant colour provides year...

From$17.95
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Pittosporum 'Irish Luck'

Pittosporum 'Irish Luck' is a hardy evergreen shrub known for its dense, bright green foliage and tidy growth habit. This versatile plant is well...

From$22.01
Olearia traversii plant with white flowers and green foliage.
Olearia traversii

Olearia traversii, commonly known as Chatham Island Ake Ake, is a hardy New Zealand native tree valued for its upright form and resilience. This...

From$102.84
A Kikuyu grass lawn bordered by a garden.
Pure Kikuyu Seed

Kikuyu grass is suited to warmer regions and coastal areas where hot and humid summers are less well suited to other turf species. The variety of...

From$24.95
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Coprosma 'Plum Hussey'

Coprosma 'Plum Hussey' is a striking evergreen shrub admired for its rich plum purple foliage and naturally dense growth habit. This colourful New...

From$16.95
Acaena inermis purpurea with small purple leaves.
Acaena purpurea (Piripiri)

Acaena purpurea, commonly known as Purple Bidibidi, is a hardy New Zealand native groundcover admired for its striking purple foliage and creeping...

From$10.95
Beilschmiedia tarairi (Taraire) trees growing in a modern garden.
Beilschmiedia tarairi (Taraire)

Beilschmiedia tarairi, commonly known as the Taraire tree, is a unique, NZ native tree. Its prominent feature is the masses of olive-like, purple...

From$270.40
Metrosideros 'Kawa Copper' red and green foliage.
Metrosideros 'Kawa Copper'

Metrosideros ‘Kawa Copper’ is a distinctive New Zealand native pohutukawa cultivar prized for its rich copper toned new growth, glossy evergreen...

From$30.29
deutzia-compact-pink-
Deutzia Compact Pink

Deutzia 'Compact Pink' is a compact deciduous shrub valued for its masses of soft pink flowers that cover the plant during late spring and early...

From$24.77
Malus 'Kaitoke' dark pink flowers.
Malus 'Kaitoke'

Malus 'Kaitoke' is an attractive ornamental crabapple tree valued for its abundant spring blossom, lush green foliage, colourful autumn display, and...

From$387.55
azalea-dr-van-slyieken-
Azalea 'Dr Van Slyieken' (Azalea Dr Van Slyieken)

Azalea Dr Van Slyieken is a stunning evergreen azalea admired for its masses of colourful blooms and compact rounded growth habit. Flowering...

From$18.95
escallonia-iveyi--1
Escallonia 'Iveyi'

Escallonia 'Iveyi' is a popular evergreen shrub renowned for its masses of pure white flowers, glossy foliage, and vigorous growth habit. Flowering...

From$16.95
Kikuyu lawn featuring a lush and dense tuf.
Kikuyu (Blended Kikuyu Lawn Seed)

A Kikuyu lawn is suited to warmer regions and coastal areas where hot and humid summers are less well suited to other turf species. The variety of...

From$39.95
Buxus sempervirens variegata (Variegated Box) shrub with lush and colourful foliage.
Buxus sempervirens 'variegata'

Buxus sempervirens 'variegata' features small, mid-green leaves with cream-white edges on new growth, which age to become a darker green. It grows to...

From$16.95
schefflera-arboricola-
Schefflera arboricola

Schefflera arboricola (Dwarf Umbrella Tree) is a popular evergreen plant valued for its lush foliage, attractive growth habit, and versatility. The...

From$29.95
ligustrum-rotundifolium-4
Ligustrum 'Rotundifolium'

Ligustrum 'Rotundifolium' (Japanese Privet) is a hardy evergreen shrub admired for its rounded glossy green leaves and dense compact growth habit...

From$24.77
Blackberry 'Thornless Jewel' black and red fruit.
Blackberry 'Thornless Jewel'

Blackberry 'Thornless Jewel' is a high quality thornless blackberry valued for its large sweet berries and easy care growth habit. This productive...

From$35.81
victory-gold-herbicide-
Victory Gold - 1 Litre

Victory Gold is an herbicide used to control many types of broadleaf weeds in lawns. Susceptible weeds include: cape daisy, catsear, chickweed...

From$186.48
12-months-controlled-release-fertiliser-
12-months controlled release fertiliser

Controlled release fertilisers are specifically designed to release nutrients over a designated time period under NZ conditions and are widely used...

From$16.50
fertiliser-for-acid-loving-plants-
Fertiliser for acid loving plants (Acid Fertiliser)

Using fertiliser for acid loving plants is important for plants such as Camellias, Rhododendrons, Azaleas, Daphne’s, Gardenia’s, and Hydrangea’s who...

From$8.64
3-months-controlled-release-fertiliser-
3-months controlled release fertiliser

Controlled release fertilisers are specifically designed to release nutrients over a designated time period under NZ conditions and are widely used...

From$16.50
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9 months controlled release fertiliser

Controlled release fertilisers are specifically designed to release nutrients over a designated time period under NZ conditions and are widely used...

From$16.50
The best new lawn fertiliser in NZ.
New Lawn Fertiliser

Establishing a new lawn requires the proper nutrients to ensure robust root development and healthy growth. Our New Lawn Fertiliser, featuring...

From$5.76
Camellia 'Water Lily'

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Buxus, Camellia, and Cycas, or related Categories - Conifer Trees, Grapevines, and Cycad.

Search cycad growth rate

How Fast Do Cycads Grow?

Generally, cycads are considered slow-growing plants. Most cycads, including popular species like Cycas revoluta, add just a few centimeters to their trunk height per year, and it can take several years to notice substantial changes in size. Depending on the variety and growing conditions, you may see growth as slow as 1 to 3 cm in trunk height annually. Leaves can form more quickly, with most cycads producing a flush of new fronds once per year.

Factors Affecting Cycad Growth Rate

The cycad growth rate can vary significantly based on several factors:

Fastest-Growing Cycad Species

While all cycads are relatively slow compared to other landscape plants, some species may grow more noticeably in well-prepared environments. For example, Macrozamia communis (Burrawang Cycad) is considered slightly faster growing than many other species. Young plants, when grown in ideal conditions, can produce new leaves annually and slowly build up a visible trunk after several years.

Tips to Encourage Cycad Growth

If you want to maximise your cycad’s growth rate, ensure it’s planted in a sunny, well-drained spot. Feed it with a controlled-release palm fertiliser in spring and maintain consistent soil moisture (but never soggy soil). Protecting young plants from frost and strong winds will also prevent setbacks in growth.

Patience Pays Off

Despite the slow cycad growth rate, these plants reward patience with their striking appearance and longevity. Cycads like Cycas revoluta, Macrozamia moorei (Moores Cycad), and Dioon spinulosum (Gum Palm) become majestic garden centrepieces over time, creating a lush, tropical aesthetic that lasts for generations. By understanding what influences cycad growth rates and caring for your plant properly, you ensure your cycad will thrive, albeit at its own steady pace.

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Whether you need assistance finding the plant you’re looking for or you simply want to know more about who we are and what we do, we invite you to get in touch with us today. A member of The Plant Company team will get back in touch as soon as possible.

Illustration of plant leaves.
Celebrate your favourites like Chlorophytum comosum 'Variegatum' and Ficus 'Black Knight', then branch out with Rose Raspberry Ice, Prunus 'Ukon', and Pyracantha 'Brilliant' (Fire Thorn).
–The Plant Company

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