My knowledge of cycads (I do know they are gymnosperms, not flowering plants and of ancient lineage) is woefully less than for palms so I have questions about fertilizing my cycads (mixed Zamia, Dioon, and a couple more genera). Am I safer fertilizing them with timed release pelletized palm fertilizer or can they take the blue granular stuff dispensed via hose? I don't want to burn their roots and maybe kill them. I plan to begin fertilizing tomorrow before applying mulch.

Can someone wiser in the ways of cycads than I give me some guidance on the best way to safely fertilize my cycads?

thanks and regards

I can’t see any harm in feeding your cycas a slow release fertiliser. Like us humans we need a supplemental diet now and then! 

@PalmatierMeg I use my palm fertilizer on my ~300ish inground cycads.  They need most of the same nutrients and micronutrients as palms.  I've been told that they are ok with the blue crystals too.  Tom Broome at the Cycad Jungle has his own custom blend for cycads that appears to be the same "type" of blue crystal stuff.  I still use the slow release anyway because I have it...and it doesn't just wash away in the first rain.

One thing I'd suggest is adding a handul of Manganese Sulfate to any Cycas Revoluta (Sago Palm) at least once a ysar.  This helps to avoid "frizzle top" on new flushes.  Adding to other Cycas is probably a good idea too, but Sagos are the only ones with which I've had frizzle top problems.  Encephalartos seem to have the same Magnesium deficiencies as palms.  I haven't seen any other issues with Dioon, Zamia, or Ceratozamia.

Thanks for the info. I don’t have Cycas genus - that scale is merciless - and can’t get Encephalartos to survive here.

4 hours ago, PalmatierMeg said:

Thanks for the info. I don’t have Cycas genus - that scale is merciless - and can’t get Encephalartos to survive here.

If you like Cycas try and find a Edentata / Litoralis.  They appear immune to scale.  All my other ~50 Cycas are scale magnets, but never a hint on Edentata / Litoralis.  They are cold hardy to about freezing and look like the "Queen" sago Thouarsii.

Encephalartos from Central Africa grow great for me here near Orlando: Whitelockii, Laurentianus, Hildebrandtii, Manikensis, Sclavoi, Gratus, Ferox, Natalensis, and a few more.  They do great with our humidity and rain.  I've lost a lot of the South African blues to rot, like Arenarius, Horridus, Lehmannii, Princeps, and many more.  These are more desert adapted and tend to rot on me after the winter.  I'm not sure if the ones I grow will like your alkaline soil or not.

On 5/6/2026 at 9:20 PM, Merlyn said:

@PalmatierMeg I use my palm fertilizer on my ~300ish inground cycads.  They need most of the same nutrients and micronutrients as palms.  I've been told that they are ok with the blue crystals too.  Tom Broome at the Cycad Jungle has his own custom blend for cycads that appears to be the same "type" of blue crystal stuff.  I still use the slow release anyway because I have it...and it doesn't just wash away in the first rain.

One thing I'd suggest is adding a handul of Manganese Sulfate to any Cycas Revoluta (Sago Palm) at least once a ysar.  This helps to avoid "frizzle top" on new flushes.  Adding to other Cycas is probably a good idea too, but Sagos are the only ones with which I've had frizzle top problems.  Encephalartos seem to have the same Magnesium deficiencies as palms.  I haven't seen any other issues with Dioon, Zamia, or Ceratozamia.

I agree with this, I too just use palm fert on my cycads. I only have two to be fair, so I can’t say it’s magic for all of them different types, but even the bags themselves say suitable for use on cycads and other tropical plants, not sure how much everyone trusts those labels but I haven’t been wronged. 

Also I made the comical mistake of buying a 40 pound bag of manganese. I needed it to correct frizzle top on a sago once and since then have used maybe one or two cups 😂. I might have that bag forever. 

6 minutes ago, TropicsEnjoyer said:

Also I made the comical mistake of buying a 40 pound bag of manganese. I needed it to correct frizzle top on a sago once and since then have used maybe one or two cups 😂. I might have that bag forever. 

I have the same Rite-Green 40lb bag of Manganese Sulfate.  I bought it ~5 or so years ago and it'll probably be a true "lifetime supply."