Lepidozamia peroffskyana is a Cycad native to New South Wales and Queensland. This is a large but slow growing cycad that can reach 5m over time. Tall arching fronds with a soft fern like look make it a most attractive, if unusual landscaping plant.
Quick Facts About Lepidozamia peroffskyana
- Botanical Name: Lepidozamia peroffskyana
- Common Names: Burrawang, Pineapple Zamia, Scaly Zamia
- Plant Type: Evergreen cycad
- Climate Zones: Subtropical to temperate; frost protection for young plants
- Sun/Shade: Part shade or dappled light; tolerates full sun if acclimated
- Growth Habit: Slow-growing, trunk-forming
- Height/Width: 4–7 m tall; trunk up to 80 cm wide
- Flowering Time: Female cones produce seeds seasonally [INSERT INFO]
- Foliage: Arching green fronds up to 3 m
- Flowers: Cones on separate male and female plants
- Special Attributes: Architectural form, drought tolerant, long-lived
🌱 Growth Rate & Longevity – Lepidozamia peroffskyana
- Very slow-growing in height; trunk develops over many years.
- Young plants produce foliage early, giving decorative value from the start.
- Can live for decades once established, rewarding patient gardeners.
- Provides strong architectural structure without rapid overgrowth.
- Ideal for feature planting, large containers, and low-maintenance landscapes.
Description
Lepidozamia peroffskyana, commonly known as Burrawang, Pineapple Zamia, or Scaly Zamia, is a large, slow-growing cycad native to eastern Australia, including New South Wales and Queensland.
With elegant palm-like fronds and substantial trunk development over time, it makes an impressive and enduring choice for gardens, containers, and landscape design.
This cycads’ architectural form and lush foliage bring a tropical or subtropical feel that enhances native-style and drought-tolerant gardens.
The trunk may not develop for a number of years, so in these terms Lepidozamia peroffskyana has a very slow growth rate.
Foliage is faster to develop and it is for the wide spreading foliage that makes this a species that is so widely used as a landscaping plant.
Suited to growing in a container and best in part shade, this species will grow as far south as Melbourne and does require a well drained soil. Some excellent specimens can be found in the Botanical Gardens of Melbourne and Sydney, however some of the best are in the Maranoa Gardens in Melbourne.
Important Warnings
- Poisonous/Toxic: Seeds are toxic; handle with care
- Invasive/Weed Potential: Not known to be invasive
How To grow Lepidozamia peroffskyana – Cultivation & Care
Planting Lepidozamia peroffskyana
- When to Plant: Spring to early autumn
- Where to Plant: Well-draining garden beds or large containers
- Soil: Sandy, loamy, humus-rich; slightly acidic to neutral
- Spacing: 2–4 m for mature specimens
- Container/Pots Suitability: Yes, deep containers recommended
Light & Position: Lepidozamia peroffskyana thrives best in part shade or dappled light, although it can tolerate full sun if gradually acclimated. Filtered light or light shade protects its fronds from scorching, especially in hotter climates. It performs well as a striking feature plant in garden beds or as a container plant on patios and courtyards.
Soil & Drainage: This cycad prefers well-drained, sandy or loamy soils with a slightly acidic to neutral pH. Excellent drainage is critical to prevent root rot. Soils rich in organic matter, especially humus, support healthy growth but should still be free-draining.
Watering & Drought: Once established, Lepidozamia peroffskyana is drought tolerant and requires minimal supplemental watering. During extended dry spells or when container-grown, occasional deep watering helps maintain vigor.
Maintenance & Longevity: This species is very low maintenance, requiring little care beyond initial planting in suitable conditions. Its very slow height growth is balanced by early and continuous leaf production that provides rapid decorative appeal.
Propagation: Propagation is mostly by seed, which germinates easily without special treatment. It rarely produces offsets. Seedlings take several years before reaching suitable size for landscaping.
Landscaping uses.
Mature specimens with wonderful trunks as well as good foliage make outstanding feature plants. Smaller plants are also widely sought after for the foliage effect.
- Use Lepidozamia peroffskyana as a specimen or feature plant. Its arching fronds and substantial trunk serve as striking visual anchors in tropical, subtropical, or native garden designs.
- Plant in groups with other shade-tolerant species to achieve lush, layered foliage effects.
- Ideal for large containers or courtyards, where its slow growth and strong architectural form add structure without overwhelming space.
- Its drought tolerance and low maintenance make it perfect for sustainable and low-water garden designs.
Propagation Methods for Lepidozamia peroffskyana
Growing from Seed: Germination Tips
- Seeds come from mature female cones with bright red seeds inside.
- Pollination happens naturally by wind, but hand pollination can improve success.
- Harvest seeds when cones break open (about 10 months after pollination).
- Soak seeds briefly, then sow in well-drained seed-raising mix.
- Keep soil moist but not waterlogged; maintain warm temperature (~25–30°C).
- Germination usually takes 10–38 days, sometimes longer.
- Seedlings grow slowly; use deep pots for better root development.
- Avoid disturbing seedlings once roots establish.
Propagation Challenges and Offset Production
- Lepidozamia peroffskyana rarely produces offsets or pups, so vegetative propagation is uncommon.
- This means seed propagation is the primary method for growing new plants.
- Seeds have a tough outer layer but generally do not require scarification or special pretreatment.
- Seed coat’s red flesh is toxic—handle with care and avoid ingestion.
- Patience is necessary as seedlings take several years to reach usable size for garden planting.
- Tissue culture is possible but usually done in controlled lab settings, not typical for home gardeners.
Design Ideas
- Feature specimen in gardens or courtyards
- Plant in groups for layered foliage effects
- Suitable for large containers or low-water sustainable landscapes
- Architectural element in subtropical or native garden designs
Why Choose Lepidozamia peroffskyana?
- Long-lived and slow-growing, rewarding patient gardeners with dramatic size and elegant form.
- Glossy, palm-like fronds that create an attractive tropical or sub-tropical ambiance.
- Low maintenance and drought tolerant once established.
- Versatile for use in landscapes, native gardens, and container plantings.
- Provides a strong architectural element in garden design.
Where To Buy
1052 Whittlesea-Kinglake Road Kinglake West 3757
Offering a specialist variety of Australian native Ferns plus Dendrobium/Dockrillia & Sarcochilus species & hybrids in pots, loose, or mounted. Species Cymbidium sauve and maddidum.
www.ferns.com.au
email ask@plantmark.com.au
One of Australia's largest wholesale trade nurseries. Over 30,000 species available, tubestock to advanced trees, an almost unlimited choice of plants.
www.plantmark.com.au
111 Stanhope Road Theresa Park NSW 2570
Offering a variety of sun hardy Australian natives and exotic trees, shrubs, groundcover's and perennials from semi advanced through to super advanced and semi-mature stock.
www.downesnursery.com.au
How fast does Lepidozamia peroffskyana grow?
Very slow in height; early foliage provides decorative appeal.
Can it tolerate frost?
Young plants need protection; mature plants tolerate light frost.
Are the seeds safe for pets?
No, seeds are toxic if ingested.
Q3: How do I propagate this cycad?
Mainly by seed; offsets are rare.