The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
Despite its common name, thecardboard palmis not apalm tree.
Its name comes from its growth habit, which is similar to that of palms.
The leaflets are bright green and oval, and they have a slightly fuzzy feel similar to cardboard.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
The plant is generally shorter than it is wide, with a thick, partially subterranean trunk.
It has a slow growth rate and is best planted in the spring.
Outside of its tropicalgrowing zones, its commonly kept as a houseplant.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
The plant is toxic to humansand pets.
Otherwise, the cardboard palm will start to grow lopsided.
Soil
These plants can tolerate a variety of soil types as long as they have good drainage.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
A loose, sandy soil with a slightly acidicsoil pHis best.
Cardboard palms in containers will grow well in a potting mix made for cacti and palms.
Water
Only a moderate amount of water is required for cardboard palms.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
And overwatering can cause the roots to rot.
From the spring to fall, water whenever the top inch of soil feels dry.
But over the winter, reduce watering by about half of what you watered during the growing season.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
Temperature and Humidity
Cardboard palms are fairly hardy plants.
They can tolerate heat, but cold temperatures and frost can damage or kill them.
Fertilizer
Feed your plant twice a year with a slow-release palm fertilizer.
One system should be at the beginning of the spring and the other at the start of autumn.
Types of Cardboard Palm
The cardboard palm is only one of more than 50 species within theZamiagenus.
Most of these species grow in tropical environments, and many have palm-like features.
The best time to do this is when the plant is still dormant in fall or early spring.
verify the pot has an ample amount of drainage holes.
This will typically occur every two to three years until the plant has reached its maximum size.
Common Pests & Plant Diseases
These plants dont have major problems with pests or diseases.
However, overwatering and allowing water to collect on the plant foliage can cause fungal diseases.
So be sure only to water the soil around the base of the plant.
Common Problems With Cardboard Palm
It’s tough to find an easier plant to grow and maintain.
Inspect your majestic cardboard palm for the following issues.
Yellow Leaves
The plant may be overwatered which turns leaves yellow.
Or, the leaves are older and dying off.
Simply prune the yellow leaves off with a sharp, sterile cutting tool.
Rot is due to overwatering.
Too much watering is unnecessary because the plant’s thick semi-succulent stem is like a tank that holds water.
You may not be able to save a cardboard palm that experiences rot.
Leaves Drooping and Wilting
Your plant is likely underwatered and dehydrated if it’s drooping or wilting.
If the pot feels lighter than you think it should, the roots and soil are very dry.
Begin to salvage the plant by watering the soil slowly to moisten it and don’t drown the roots.
Fronds can grow 3 feet long, though all this growth can take years.
These plants, if left outdoors, will sustain leaf damage at 28 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cardboard palms are tough plants, and they generally dont require a great deal of care.
Sago Palm Tree.George Mason University.
