Scratchley's Cycad Plant Care

Scratchley's Cycad (Cycas scratchleyana) belongs to the Cycadaceae family within the Cycas genus. Scratchley's Cycad is native to New Guinea and Queensland.

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

Leaf size: approximately 36 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Scratchley's 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.

Scratchley's Cycad thrives in full sun to partial shade.

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

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

Feed Scratchley's 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.

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

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.

Scratchley's Cycad is suited to USDA Zone 10b – 12b.

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.

Scratchley's 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.

Prune Scratchley's 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.

Scratchley's Cycad is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 10). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Scratchley's Cycad can be propagated through seeds, offsets (pups). Similar propagation techniques also apply to sago palm plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Scratchley's 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.

Scratchley's Cycad grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10b – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10b. Scratchley's Cycad is native to New Guinea and Queensland. In cooler regions, grow Scratchley's Cycad as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.