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cycads and palms

Cycads and palms have long captivated gardeners and landscape designers alike with their striking forms, lush foliage, and ancient lineage. These unique plants create an immediate sense of relaxation and sophistication in New Zealand gardens, giving both a tropical vibe and architectural drama. Whether you’re designing a subtropical oasis or seeking drought-tolerant statement plants for your landscape, exploring cycads and palms can transform your outdoor living space. This page is your guide to discovering the beauty, care, and uses of cycads and palms, with recommended species that thrive in Kiwi gardens.

Rhopalostylis sapida palms growing as a cluster.

Rhopalostylis sapida

Rhopalostylis sapida, commonly known as Nikau Palm, is a fast-growing and beautiful Palm tree. From a central trunk, it produces large and broad fronds with a gentle arch. They are dark green, handsome, and enable this NZ native to grow to about 10 m tall with a spread of 6 m. Rhopalostylis sapida is highly sought after and very popular.

From $30.29

Suited to regions: Subtropical, Temperate
Plant type: Palms
Height: 10.00 m
Spread: 4.00 m
Flowering time: Spring
Garden uses: Parks, Pool areas, Screening, Specimen
Garden styles: Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Modern, Native, Tropical
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 $248.92

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
Chinese Windmill Palms planted as a cluster.
Trachycarpus fortunei (Chinese Windmill Palm)

Trachycarpus fortunei, commonly known as the Windmill Palm, is a hardy, evergreen palm ideal for New Zealand gardens. It features a tall, slender...

From$425.89
Cordyline stricta plants growing in their native setting.
Cordyline stricta

Cordyline stricta, commonly known as the Slender Palm Lily, features narrow, strap like, green leaves held on upright stems which gives a very lush...

From$44.09
syagrus-romanzoffiana-
Syagrus romanzoffiana (Queen Palm)

Syagrus romanzoffiana (Queen Palm) is a graceful, fast growing palm known for its arching fronds and tropical appearance. This elegant tree adds...

From$202.44
Dypsis baronii (Sugar Cane Palm) with lush, green foliage.
Dypsis baronii

Dypsis baronii, commonly known as The Sugar Cane Palm, is a stunning plant which is well suited to smaller gardens. It is renowned for its multiple...

From$71.69
rhododendron-tropical-glow-
Rhododendron Vireya 'Tropic Glow'

Rhododendron Vireya 'Tropic Glow' is a spectacular tropical rhododendron admired for its vibrant flowers and glossy evergreen foliage. The colourful...

From$28.91
phoenix-roebelenii--3
Phoenix roebelenii

Phoenix roebelenii (Dwarf Date Palm) is an elegant palm valued for its fine, arching fronds and compact tropical appearance. The graceful green...

From$152.64
palm-tree-fertiliser-1
Palm Tree Fertiliser

Choosing the correct Palm tree fertiliser is essential for producing better quality foliage, stronger fronds, and a much healthier and brighter...

From$16.95
Large Dracaena draco (Canary Islands Dragon Tree) specimen trees.
Dracaena draco

Dracaena draco, commonly known as the Canary Islands Dragon Tree, is a striking, slow-growing evergreen ideal for New Zealand landscapes. It forms a...

From$638.89
Macrozamia moorei palm tree with lush green fronds.
Macrozamia moorei (Moores Cycad)

Macrozamia moorei is a striking cycad native to Australia, admired for its dramatic, palm like appearance and impressive size. With its stiff...

OUT OF STOCK
macrozamia-communis-2
Macrozamia communis (Burrawang Cycad)

Macrozamia communis is a striking cycad valued for its bold arching foliage, sculptural form, and exceptional long term garden presence. It creates...

OUT OF STOCK
A Cycas thouarsii palm.
Cycas thouarsii

Cycas thouarsii, commonly known as the Madagascar Sago Palm or Madagascar Cycad, grows with a rugged trunk that is topped with a whorl of feathery...

OUT OF STOCK
Rhopalostylis cheesmanii specimen palms.
Rhopalostylis cheesmanii

Rhopalostylis cheesmanii, commonly known as the Kermadec Nikau, is a rare and beautiful palm native to the Kermadec Islands of New Zealand. This...

OUT OF STOCK
A Dioon spinulosum specimen tree with lush, green fronds.
Dioon spinulosum (Gum Palm)

Dioon spinulosum is a majestic cycad native to Mexico and prized for its bold, architectural presence. Known as one of the tallest cycads in the...

OUT OF STOCK
lepidozamia-peroffskyana-1
Lepidozamia peroffskyana (Cycad)

Lepidozamia peroffskyana is a striking evergreen cycad valued for its long, arching fronds and bold architectural form. The glossy deep green...

OUT OF STOCK
Large Phoenix sylvestris palm trees.
Phoenix sylvestris (Silver Date Palm)

Phoenix sylvestris is an attractive evergreen palm valued for its tall, slender trunk and graceful crown of arching blue green fronds. The foliage...

OUT OF STOCK
rhopalostylis-pitti-1
Rhopalostylis chathamica 'Pitti'

Rhopalostylis chathamica 'Pitti' is a beautiful New Zealand nikau palm selection valued for its robust growth, lush green fronds, and elegant upright...

OUT OF STOCK
Rhopalostylis 'Chatham Islands' nikau palm tree.
Rhopalostylis sapida 'Chatham Islands' (Nīkau)

Rhopalostylis sapida 'Chatham Islands' is a striking form of the iconic New Zealand Nikau Palm, naturally found on the Chatham Islands. This variety...

OUT OF STOCK
phoenix-reclinata-2
Phoenix reclinata (Senegal Date Palm)

Phoenix reclinata is a striking clumping palm valued for its arching green fronds and graceful, multi stemmed growth habit. The foliage creates a...

OUT OF STOCK
Chamaedorea woodsoniana palm tree.
Chamaedorea woodsoniana (Woodsoniana Palm)

Chamaedorea woodsoniana, commonly known as Palmilla, is a rare and elegant palm valued for its tall, slender form and graceful foliage. Native to...

OUT OF STOCK
rhopalostylis-norfolk-island-
Rhopalostylis baueri 'Norfolk Island'

Rhopalostylis baueri 'Norfolk Island' is an elegant feather palm with a smooth grey trunk and a lush crown of arching deep green fronds. Native to...

OUT OF STOCK
Archontophoenix purpurea palm trees in a tropical-themed garden.
Archontophoenix purpurea (Mt Lewis Palm)

Archontophoenix purpurea, commonly known as the Purple King Palm, is a tall and slender Palm from Australia. It features elegant and lush, mid-green...

OUT OF STOCK
Chamaerops humilis 'Cerifera' palm tree.
Chamaerops humilis 'Cerifera' (Atlas Mountain Palm)

Chamaerops humilis 'Cerifera' is a striking evergreen palm valued for its beautiful silver blue fan shaped foliage and naturally clumping growth...

OUT OF STOCK
rhopalostylis-little-barrier-
Rhopalostylis 'Little Barrier'

Rhopalostylis 'Little Barrier' is an elegant evergreen palm valued for its lush green fronds, smooth trunk, and strong tropical appearance. The...

OUT OF STOCK
rhopalostylis-pitt-island-1
Rhopalostylis 'Pitt Island' (Pitt Island Nikau Palm)

Rhopalostylis 'Pitt Island' is an elegant evergreen palm valued for its lush tropical foliage, smooth trunk, and graceful upright form. The large...

OUT OF STOCK
Jubaea chilensis palm tree with large fronds growing in a park.
Jubaea chilensis (Coquito Palm)

Jubaea chilensis, commonly known as the Chilean Wine Palm, is a majestic and long lived palm native to South America. Famous for its thick grey trunk...

OUT OF STOCK
Archontophoenix cunninghamiana (King Palm) specimen tree with lush, green fronds.
Archontophoenix cunninghamiana (King Palm)

Archontophoenix cunninghamiana, commonly known as the King Palm, is a tall and slender Palm Tree from Australia. It carries long, elegant, glossy...

OUT OF STOCK
atherton-palm-2
Laccospadix australasica (Atherton Palm)

Laccospadix australasica (Atherton Palm) is an elegant tropical style palm valued for its slender trunks, arching green fronds, and lush natural...

OUT OF STOCK
chamaerops-humilis-
Chamaerops humilis (Dwarf Fan Palm)

Chamaerops humilis (European Fan Palm) is a hardy evergreen palm admired for its attractive fan shaped foliage, clumping growth habit, and...

OUT OF STOCK
washingtonia-filifera-
Washingtonia filifera (California Fan Palm)

Washingtonia filifera (California Palm) is a striking palm tree admired for its tall trunk and large fan shaped leaves. This iconic palm creates a...

OUT OF STOCK
A stunning Archontophoenix alexandrae speciment tree.
Archontophoenix alexandrae (Alexander Palm)

Archontophoenix alexandrae, commonly known as the Alexandra Palm, King Palm, or Feather Palm, is a tall and showy Palm Tree from Australia. It...

OUT OF STOCK
Rhopalostylis sapida

Did you find what you are looking for?

You might be interested in exploring related Latin Names - Cordyline, Cycas, and Dracaena, or related Categories - Palm Tree Fertiliser, Palms, and Cycad.

Search cycads and palms

What Are Cycads and Palms?

Although cycads and palms thrive in similar conditions and share a dramatic, palm-like appearance, they come from separate plant families. Cycads are ancient seed plants dating back over 200 million years. They have stiff, feathery fronds and are celebrated for their prehistoric charm. Palms, in contrast, are more modern and vary widely in shape, from towering trunked species to compact clumping forms. Both cycads and palms add structure and interest, serving as extraordinary focal points in gardens and public spaces.

Popular Cycads for New Zealand Gardens

Many cycads are perfect for New Zealand’s climates, ranging from coastal north to cooler southern regions. Some of our favourite recommendations include:

Palm and Cycad Uses in the Garden

Cycads and palms are valued not only for their distinctive aesthetics but also for their practical benefits. Use them as bold specimen plants, create layered tropical plantings, or incorporate them into courtyards for year-round greenery. Many cycads, including Macrozamia communis (Burrawang Cycad) and Cycas revoluta, also perform well in pots, making them suitable for patios and entrances. Their tough nature means many cycads tolerate dry periods and coastal winds, while their slow growth is perfect for low-maintenance gardening.

Growing Tips for Cycads and Palms

Most cycads and palms prefer free-draining soil and a sunny to partly shaded site. Shelter young plants from frosts until established. Feed regularly with a slow-release fertiliser to encourage lush foliage and strong root development. Water deeply but infrequently, allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings.

For gardeners seeking resilient, architectural plants, our collection of cycads and palms offers a world of options for every style and location. Browse our recommended species above to start your own botanical journey.

Contact us

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.
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–The Plant Company

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