Also known as Coontie Palm · 34 gardener saves
Zamia: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Zamia, the genus most gardeners know as coontie palm. We track 3 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 3 most-saved Zamia varieties
Of 3 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedCoontie
Zamia floridana
#2 most savedCoontie Palm
Zamia pumila
#3 most savedCardboard Palm
Zamia furfuracea
How to grow Zamia
What the Zamia varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 3 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Zamia year
- FertilizeApril and June100% of varieties
Apply a slow-release fertilizer formulated for palms or cycads.
- Check for PestsApril–August100% of varieties
Inspect fronds for scale insects, a common cycad pest.
- PlantMarch and September67% of varieties
Plant in well-draining soil during spring or early fall.
- PruneFebruary and March67% of varieties
Remove old or yellowing fronds at the base before new growth begins.
Do
- Water during dry periods 🌱
- Mulch to conserve moisture
- Prune dead or damaged fronds
- Provide excellent drainage above all else.
- Plant with the top of the root crown slightly exposed.
Avoid
- Do not plant in heavy clay or poorly drained soil.
- Avoid overwatering ❌
- Don’t expose to freezing temperatures
- Refrain from fertilizing excessively
What goes wrong with Zamia
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Scale insects | Sticky residue or yellowing foliage | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Mealybugs | White cottony spots on leaves | Apply horticultural oil or insecticidal soap |
| Cycad Aulacaspis Scale | White, waxy armor-like coatings on leaves, leading to yellowing and plant death. | Scrub off with a brush and soapy water. Apply horticultural oil or insecticidal soap. For severe cases, systemic insecticides may be required. |
| Cycad Scale | White, waxy insects covering leaves, causing yellow blotches and dieback. | Scrub off with soapy water. Apply horticultural oil or neem oil. Systemic insecticides are most effective. |
| Root Rot | Yellowing leaves, wilting, and a soft, rotting caudex at the soil line. | Prevention is key. Ensure perfect drainage. There is no cure once rot is established; discard the plant. |
| Root rot | Wilting and browning of foliage | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
Making more Zamia
Seed
- Collect mature seeds in fall.
- Tuck seeds into moist soil in spring.
- Keep soil consistently moist for 6 weeks.
Zamia questions
How many types of Zamia are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 3 distinct Zamia varieties. The most popular — ranked by 34 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Zamia grow in?
Across its varieties, Zamia covers USDA Zones 8–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Zamia bloom?
Most Zamia varieties bloom in spring, summer, mid-summer, early summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Zamia should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Zamia shows up in
By hardiness zone
Design with Zamia in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
