S & J Nursery’s Guide to Growing
Coontie Palm / Zamia Pumila
in the Northeast Florida Jacksonville
| St. Augustine Florida
Coontie Palm Origins:
– Zamia Floridana / Zamia Pumila is a Florida native plant that is a great drought tolerant groundcover or accent plant for the North Florida | Jacksonville | St. Augustine Florida.
– Coontie Palms are the larval plant food of the Atala butterfly!
Coontie Palm Preferred Exposure:
– Plant Coontie Zamia Floridana / Zamia Pumila in a partial shade location for best results in the North Florida | Jacksonville and St. Augustine area landcape but plants will tolerate full sun.
Coontie Palm Fronds | Trunk:
– Deep green foliage of the Coontie Palm remains evergreen through the winter, plants do not develop a trunk but rather, thick, leathery feather-like fronds emerge from underground root systems.
– Foliage of the Florida native Coontie Palm is very showy tropical effect in
the landscape.
Coontie Palm Soil Preference / Salt tolerance:
– Coontie Palms planted in the North Florida | Jacksonville | St. Augustine
landscape will tolerate virtually any soil components, providing they are planted into well drained soils.
– Salt tolerance is good and plants can be used in coastal areas of the North
Florida landscape. Plant near but not directly on ocean side.
Coontie Palm Size Variance:
– Zamia Floridana / Zamia Pumila plants can reach sizes of 2-4 feet H | and
spreading 3-5 feet in width.
Coontie Palm Growth Habit:
– Zamia Floridana / Pumila has a low growing, broad spreading habit that will form a nicely rounded mound of tropical foliage.
– S & J Nursery’s Coontie Palms add bold texture to the landscape and add
an instant tropical effect.
Coontie Palm Growth Rate:
– Slow growing member of the Cycad family will take many many years to reach its potential size.
Coontie Palm Bloom:
– Coontie Palms have no flowers, plants are either male or female and female plants can produce a cone like fruit that is quite showy.
Coontie Palm Water Requirements:
– Extremely drought tolerant once established into the landscape. S & J
Nursery’s Coontie Palms store water that can be utilized by the plant during prolonged droughts.
Best Uses For Coontie Palm in the North Florida | Jacksonville | St. Augustine
Landscape:
– Coontie Palm is an excellent choice for a landscape statement as its big bold textured foliage is very showy in the landscape and adds instant tropical appeal.
– Excellent potted plant for porches, patio, pool side and even indoor
use!
– Plant Coontie Palms 3-5 ft from the center of one to the center of another
for a low maintenance groundcover for the Florida landscape.
Care of Coontie Palm / Zamia Floridana / Zamia Pumila Palms:
– Minimal effort needed for maintenance after planting.
– Fertilize each spring with a slow release Poly coated plant food like
Osmocote.