Hainan Cycad Plant Care

Cycas hainanensis C.J.Chen ex C.Y.Cheng, W.C.Cheng & L.K.Fu

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Cycas hainanensis is a species of cycad in Hainan, China. It is protected in some forest reserves and in Tongguling National Nature Reserve (铜鼓岭国家级自然保护区), Wenchang County.

🪴Houseplants🌿Cycads
Water

Every 14–21 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

60–85°F

Humidity

50–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Hainan Cycad?

Plant Hainan Cycad in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 13a) and water a young tree every 14–21 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F (16–29°C). Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.

What Is the Hainan Cycad?

Hainan Cycad (Cycas hainanensis) belongs to the Cycadaceae family within the Cycas genus. Hainan Cycad is native to Wanning and Haikou districts.

Hainan Cycad displays a slow-growing palm-like tree growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Hainan Cycad produces cones with seeds, not typical flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 36 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Hainan Cycad?

Water a young or newly planted Hainan Cycad every 14–21 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Watering Frequency

Every 14–21 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Hainan Cycad Need?

Hainan Cycad thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Hainan Cycad Prefer?

Cycas hainanensis tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Hainan Cycad prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Temperature

60–85°F

Humidity

50–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Hainan Cycad?

Well-draining sandy soil with high organic matter content. Good drainage is essential for Hainan Cycad to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Hainan Cycad?

Feed Hainan Cycad every 8 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

Fertilizing

Every 8 months

During the growing season

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Where Should You Plant a Hainan Cycad?

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy soil with high organic matter content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Hainan Cycad is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Hainan Cycad?

Hainan Cycad can spread to about 4 ft (1.2 m) and reach about 6 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 4 ft (1.2 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

How Do You Prune a Hainan Cycad?

Prune Hainan Cycad while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

How Do You Care for a Hainan Cycad in Winter?

Hainan Cycad is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

How Do You Propagate a Hainan Cycad?

Hainan Cycad can be propagated through seeds, offsets (pups). Similar propagation techniques also apply to cycas inermis plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Hainan Cycad Toxic to Pets and Children?

Toxic (caution)

Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.

This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

What Pests and Diseases Affect the Hainan Cycad?

Hainan Cycad is susceptible to scale insects, mealybugs, mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Hainan Cycad Need?

Hainan Cycad grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Hainan Cycad is native to Wanning and Haikou districts. In cooler regions, grow Hainan Cycad as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 13a

Keep exploring plants

Hainan Cycad is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.

It belongs to the Cycas genus — compare its care with other Cycas species on PlantoScan.

Cycas is part of the Cycadaceae plant family — browse all Cycadaceae genera and species.

Hainan Cycad thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Cycas Species

Other Cycas species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Cycas hainanensis C.J.Chen ex C.Y.Cheng, W.C.Cheng & L.K.Fu, family Cycadaceae (first published in Acta Phytotax. Sin. 13(4): 82 (1975)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Hainan Cycad is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
  • Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.

Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.

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