Name: The Plant Company
Address: 284 Meeanee Road, Meeanee, Napier, 4112, New Zealand
Telephone: 0800 843 752
Price range: Contact Us
Rating: 4.8/5

cycas tree

The cycas tree is an ancient plant with striking, feathery foliage that brings a touch of tropical elegance to gardens across New Zealand. Known for their prehistoric appearance and robust nature, cycas trees are a popular choice for both indoor and outdoor landscaping. Often called sago palms, these unique plants are not true palms but cycad species—their primeval beauty and resilience make them a fantastic statement piece in any setting. Whether you’re an avid collector seeking botanical rarities or a home gardener looking for easy-care structure and greenery, the cycas tree delivers timeless appeal and dependable growth.

Cycas revoluta

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. Cycas revoluta makes an excellent specimen and is commonly added to tropical plantings, maintained in a container, planted around a pool or other outdoor living areas, or added to a mixed planting.

Buy Cycas revoluta

From $134.93

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

Taxodium distichum Cascade Falls

Taxodium distichum Cascade Falls is a variety of the commonly known, Swamp Cypress, and is a fabulous weeping tree that will tolerate heavy soils. The rich green foliage hangs from pendulous branches on this deciduous conifer. The tree is further accentuated with yellow autumn colours before the leaves fall. It grows with a somewhat rounded shape to about 4 m tall and 3 m wide. Taxodium distichum Cascade Falls is a great tree for planting in wetter areas of a garden and for planting around water features such as ponds. It makes for a great specimen and is well suited to including in a mixed planting.

Buy Taxodium distichum Cascade Falls

From $343.89

Suited to regions: All regions

Plant type: Trees

Height: 4.00 m

Spread: 3.00 m

Tolerances: Hardy, Wet

Garden uses: Living areas, Parks, Ponds, Specimen

Garden styles: Alpine, Architectural, Backyard, City & Courtyard, Frontyard, Japanese, Mediterranean, Modern, Riparian

What Makes the Cycas Tree Unique?

The cycas tree belongs to the cycad family, an ancient lineage of plants dating back over 200 million years. Their distinctive crown of glossy, arching fronds radiate from a central trunk, creating a sculptural focal point in courtyards, containers, or outdoor garden beds. Cycas trees are extremely hardy and drought-tolerant, thriving in well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. With slow, steady growth, these trees are well-suited for long-term landscape planning, rewarding gardeners with lush, textural foliage year after year.

Popular Cycas Varieties

Two of the most well-known cycad species grown in New Zealand are Cycas revoluta and Cycas thouarsii. Cycas revoluta, commonly known as the sago palm, is particularly appreciated for its tidy form and compact size, making it ideal for pots, entranceways, and small gardens. In contrast, Cycas thouarsii offers a more tropical look with broader, lush fronds and can grow larger, making it a perfect choice for subtropical gardens or coastal planting schemes.

Planting and Caring for Your Cycas Tree

Cycas trees are low-maintenance and adapt to a range of conditions. Choose a position with good drainage and adequate sunlight—for indoor specimens, bright indirect light is best. When planting outdoors, position your cycas tree where it can show off its symmetrical crown and striking foliage. Water regularly during the first establishment phase, but avoid overwatering, as cycas are prone to root rot if left in soggy soil. Apply a slow-release fertiliser in early spring to encourage luxuriant new growth. As cycads grow slowly, they rarely outgrow their space, making them suitable even for small urban gardens or patio pots.

Companion Plants for the Cycas Tree

For an eye-catching garden design, pair your cycas tree with architectural or foliage-based plants such as Taxodium distichum Cascade Falls or the elegant white-flowering Cercis canadensis Texas White. For those passionate about unique tree specimens, consider adding a Sequoiadendron giganteum (Sequoia gigantea Tree) to create a collection of dramatic, conversation-starting features.

Why Choose a Cycas Tree For Your Garden?

Whether you’re after year-round structure, drought tolerance, or a slice of the prehistoric world in your backyard, the cycas tree stands out as a reliable, versatile choice. Its minimalist silhouette fits perfectly with both contemporary and subtropical landscape designs, and its toughness means it will thrive for generations with minimal effort. Explore our range of cycad species, including Cycas revoluta and Cycas thouarsii, to find the perfect cycas tree for your home or landscape.

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.