Coontie (Zamia pumila) Growing & Care Guide for Gardeners
Article by Dean Ravenscroft, Ph.D. - Updated 1st Feb 2024
- Plant Characteristics: Not a true palm, but a cycad (prehistoric, palm-like seed plant) with a thick, underground stem. Features fern-like, evergreen foliage that adds a prehistoric touch to the landscape. Slow-growing and compact.
- Growing & Care: Prefers well-drained soil and can tolerate a range of light conditions, from full sun to deep shade. Drought-tolerant once established and requires minimal watering.
- Tips for New Gardeners: An ideal plant for low-maintenance gardens. Can be used as ground cover or in rock gardens. Be cautious, as all parts of the plant are toxic if ingested.
Zamia pumila goes by many names, including Cardboard Palm, Seminole Bread, Comfort Root and Florida Arrowroot, though it is perhaps best known as the Coontie Palm.
It is an evergreen member of the Zamiaceae family (cycads).
The plant is native to the West Indies, Florida and Cuba, where its natural drought and salt tolerances enable it to thrive.
Pumila derives its name from the Latin word pumilus, which means dwarf, and, indeed, this cycad, or palm-like plant grows only about one to three feet (30 to 90 cm) tall, with a 36" to 72" (90 to 180 cm) spread in multi-branched clusters.
Zamia pumila at Rare Plant Research, Oregon City photograph by Megan Hansen.
Female plants are recognized by their bright orange seeds, whereas male plants have tall, cylindrical cones that are filled with pollen.
Zamia pumila can make nice indoor plants. While when grown outside, they are often used as borders, in container gardens, as foundation plants, or as a ground cover to give gardens a tropical appearance.
Gardener's HQ Guide to Growing Coontie
A slow-growing, low-maintenance plant, Coontie Palms prefer full sun to partial shade.
Ideally use a well-drained, occasionally dry sandy to sandy loam soil.
Like all cycads, Zamia pumila are highly toxic. Therefore, extreme care should be taken whenever handling the roots, seeds, leaves, and cones. Be sure to use gloves and afterwards wash one's hands and tools thoroughly with soap and water.
These Plants naturally germinate via seeds and offsets. However, for those who wish to help with propagation, first remove offsets and transplant them into pots away from mother plants; as the parent plant emits a chemical that eliminates competing seedlings.
Since young plants can be damaged by female Atala butterflies laying their eggs (known as Atalas), it might be a good idea to protect them using tomato cages covered with netting.
As for the seeds, collect them from female Coontie cones after they ripen and naturally break apart.
They will be sticky, so clean them, spread them on the ground, and cover them lightly with soil.
Zamia pumila Germination should take place in about six weeks.
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Zamia pumila Growing and Care Guide
- Scientific Name: Zamia pumila.
- Common Name: Coontie Palm.
- Growing Zone: USA: 8 to 11; UK Hardiness H1 - Under glass / outdoors in containers in the summer.
- Life Cycle / Plant Type: Groundcover, Indoor Plant, Shrub.
Plant Details
- Plant Height (Inches): 24 to 48.
- Plant Spread (Inches): 36 to 72.
- Time of Bloom:
- Flower Details:
- Leaf Foliage: Green.
- Fruit:
- Growth Form: Rounded.
Ideal Growing Conditions
- Best Light Conditions: Partially shady to full sunlight.
- Rate of Growth: Grows slowly.
- Suitable Soil Types: Acidic, Adaptable, Alkaline, Clay, Loamy, Neutral, Sandy, Slightly alkaline, Well drained.
- Soil Moisture: Dry to Moist (Medium Moisture best).
Caring Conditions
- Care:
- Level of Maintenance: Low.
- Propagation: Seeds; offsets.
- How to Prune:
- Pests: Sooty mold, red scale.
- Diseases: no serious diseases.
Further Information
- Can Attract: Mockingbirds, Blue jays.
- Tolerant of: Drought.
- Best Garden Use: Border, Container Garden, Foundation Plant, Ground cover, En masse, Seashore, Specimen.
- Family: Zamiaceae (Palm and Fern like Cycads)..
- Closely Related Species: Dioon, Encephalartos, and Macrozamia.
- Miscellaneous: Attractive foliage, North American native, Some parts are poisonous, Attracts butterflies, Does not bloom.
- Genus Detail: Zamia.
- Further Reading and References: Here and Here.
I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Zamia pumila. You may also enjoy the following palm-like plant growing guides: How to grow Lupin and Cladanthus plants.
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