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Investment Gardens
Cycad FAQs
Everything you need to know about cycads — their biology, care, permits, and legalities.
What is a Cycad? (Living Fossils)
Cycads are non-flowering seed plants dating back over 280 million years. They predated the dinosaurs and survived multiple mass extinction events. Though their stiff, feather-like fronds resemble palms or ferns, cycads are gymnosperms—more closely related to conifers and ginkgos.
Key Characteristics & Biology
- Dioecious (Separate Sexes): A single cycad is either strictly male or strictly female. You need both a male and a female plant in bloom simultaneously to produce fertile seeds.
- Reproduction via Cones: Instead of flowers, cycads produce large central cones. Male cones are narrow and produce pollen; female cones are broader and yield large seeds.
- Slow Growth Rate: Most species grow only a few centimeters per year, making mature landscape-specimen cycads valuable long-term investments.
- Coralloid Roots: Cycads form specialized surface roots hosting cyanobacteria, allowing them to fix their own nitrogen directly from the air.
Indigenous vs. Exotic Cycads
| Category | Primary Genera | Examples | Legal Requirement in SA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indigenous (South African) | Encephalartos, Stangeria | E. transvenosus, E. woodii, E. eugene-maraisii | Permit Required (NEMBA TOPS Regulations) |
| Exotic / Non-SA African | Cycas, Zamia, Dioon, Macrozamia, non-SA Encephalartos | Cycas revoluta (Sago Palm), Zamia furfuracea | Generally permit-exempt for private possession in South Africa. |
Essential Care & Growing Guide
1. Sunlight & Placement
Most indigenous Encephalartos species thrive in full sun to partial shade. Blue-leaved species (E. horridus, E. lehmannii) prefer maximum direct sun to retain their intense glaucous blue coloration, whereas green, broad-leaf species prefer dappled afternoon shade.
2. Soil & Drainage
Cycads demand exceptional drainage. Planting in waterlogged soil guarantees root rot. Use coarse sand, perlite, and well-composted organic material in elevated beds or sloped garden positions.
3. Watering Schedule
Water deeply, then let the soil dry out completely before watering again. Reduce watering frequency in winter during seasonal dormancy.
4. Pest Control
Scale Insects & Woolly Aphids: Treat promptly with systemic insecticides or mineral oil sprays. Fungal Rot: Ensure high air circulation and avoid overhead watering that leaves standing water inside the growing crown.
Frequently Asked Questions
Permits, Valuations & Care
1How does the process for the application of a cycad permit work?
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There are documents supplied by DFFE that need to be completed and signed by the owner of the cycads. The species, size of the cycad/s, and location on the property need to be documented on the application. In some instances with larger collections, the plants need to have an identification on them (a tag, etc.) to show how they correlate to the application.
The set fee per permit needs to be paid via EFT to DFFE. Submission is then done to DFFE, either by hand or by email. DFFE will advise if any additional documents are required. Once confirmed, DFFE will assign an inspector to check the site and compare it to the application. This happens within a week or two after submission.
Once the inspector has found everything satisfactory, they will submit the application for processing. This process takes an additional 3 to 4 weeks, after which the permit can be collected at DFFE, or they can post it to your residence—whichever you prefer.
2Do all Encephalartos species require permits?
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No. Permits are specifically required for South African Encephalartos species. Non-South African Encephalartos species and exotic cycads generally do not require a possession permit in South Africa.
3I want to sell my plant. Do I need a selling permit?
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Yes. You need a Selling Permit, but you must also hold a valid Possession Permit first. If you do not have a valid possession permit for the plant, you must apply for one prior to or simultaneously with your selling permit. The exact same rule applies to Relocation Permits—you cannot relocate a plant without an active possession permit.
4What is the cost of a permit?
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DFFE Statutory Fee: The standard fee payable directly to the Department of Forestry, Fisheries and the Environment (DFFE) is R50 per permit (e.g., Possession, Relocation, or Selling permit).
Investment Gardens Admin & Processing Fee: If Investment Gardens assists you, our complete service fee is R500. We handle the entire documentation workflow—including submission, official fee settlement, compliance tracking, and collecting the issued permit on your behalf.
5I recently bought a house with cycads on the property. Can I get a permit?
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Yes. You can apply for a Possession Permit to legalize all indigenous cycads on your new property.
Please note that additional supporting documentation may be required for your application, such as:
• An official affidavit stating that you purchased the house with the plants already established on the property.
• A copy of the Offer to Purchase / Sale Agreement or deed document indicating the date of sale and property transfer.
6How many cycads can I include on a single permit?
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There is no limit on quantity. A possession permit is issued for a specific property/location. Whether you have 1 cycad or 100 cycads on the property, all plants can be registered under one single permit.
7I have a permit for my cycad issued in 2019. Is it still valid?
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Yes, provided it is a standard Possession Permit and your address hasn't changed. Under NEMBA TOPS regulations, standard personal possession permits are valid for up to 10 years (valid through 2029). However, if you have moved properties, sold the plants, or held a temporary 12-month transport permit, a new permit is required.
8Can I sell or relocate my cycad without a permit?
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No. Selling or transporting indigenous cycads without valid permits is illegal under South African environmental law, carrying heavy statutory fines and risk of confiscation.
9I want to sell my cycad—how will I know what it is worth?
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In South Africa, the sale of cycads operates on a willing seller, willing buyer principle. Plants are traditionally priced per centimeter based on the height or diameter of the stem (whichever measurement is greatest). The final price per centimeter depends heavily on the rarity of the specific species, stem condition, and leaf quality.
Investment Gardens will be able to help you with a valuation. Reach out to us on permits@investmentgardens.co.za.
10How will I know if my plant is a South African species requiring a permit or not?
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If you are unsure of your cycad's species, simply send an email to permits@investmentgardens.co.za with high-resolution photos of the plant (including clear close-ups of the trunk, leaf fronds, and any cones). Our team will assist you with species identification and advise whether a permit is required.
11Are cycads poisonous to pets and children?
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Yes, highly toxic. All parts of the cycad—especially the seeds and inner stem—contain potent toxins such as cycasin and BMAA. Ingestion can cause severe liver failure, neurological damage, or death in pets. Ensure cycads (especially seed-bearing female cones) are safely fenced off from curious dogs or children.
12What is a cycad microchip/microdot, and do I need one?
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A microchip (transponder) or microdot is a tiny electronic marker implanted directly into the trunk of high-value or protected cycad specimens. Environmental authorities (DFFE and Provincial Nature Conservation) and law enforcement use microchips to verify legal ownership, trace stolen plants, and combat illegal poaching. While not mandatory for all basic garden plants, microchipping is often required for critically endangered species, commercial nurseries, or international export.
13Can I take my cycads with me if I move across provincial borders in South Africa?
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Yes, but you require an Inter-Provincial Transport & Relocation Permit. Biodiversity laws are managed provincially (e.g., GDARD in Gauteng, CapeNature in the Western Cape, Ezemvelo KZN Wildlife in KwaZulu-Natal). Moving indigenous cycads across provincial lines requires explicit clearance and an updated Destination Possession Permit before transport occurs.
14What happens to my cycad permits if I inherit plants from a deceased family member?
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Permits are non-transferable personal legal documents. If you inherit cycads, you must apply for a new Possession Permit in your name. Required supporting documents include the Deceased Estate Authority, the original permit (if available), a copy of the executor's letter/will, and photos of the plants at the property.
15Can I export an indigenous South African cycad out of South Africa?
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Only under strict CITES Appendix I controls. All Encephalartos species are listed under CITES Appendix I (the highest level of international protection). Cultivated specimens can only be exported with both a DFFE TOPS Export Permit and a CITES Export Permit, and the destination country must issue a matching CITES Import Permit beforehand. Wild-harvested exports are strictly illegal.
16How do I safely move or transplant an established cycad without killing it?
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Timing: Transplant during late winter or early spring before new leaves flush.
Leaf Trimming: Trim back 50–70% of the outer leaf fronds to minimize moisture loss through transpiration.
Root Ball Care: Dig a wide trench around the stem base to preserve the root system. Avoid bruising the trunk or damaging the primary taproot.
Fungicide Treatment: Coat cut root surfaces with a dusting of sulfur or copper fungicide before replanting into well-draining soil.
17How can I tell a male cycad from a female cycad?
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You cannot determine the sex of a cycad by looking at the leaves or trunk alone. The sex can only be confirmed when the plant produces cones:
Male Cones: Usually multiple, slender, elongated, and produce abundant yellow/white pollen.
Female Cones: Usually single or few, much larger, broader, and rounded. They open slightly when receptive and produce large, flesh-covered seeds if pollinated.
18Is the Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta) a true cycad?
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Yes. Despite being commonly referred to as a "palm," the Sago Palm (Cycas revoluta) is a true cycad belonging to the family Cycadaceae.
Historically, Cycas was the very first genus formally identified and described within the cycad plant division. In 1753, Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus formally published the genus Cycas in his foundational work Species Plantarum, establishing the scientific taxonomy from which the entire order (Cycadales) and family (Cycadaceae) were later named.
Because Cycas revoluta is native to Japan and Asia (exotic to South Africa), it is generally permit-exempt for private possession in South Africa under NEMBA regulations.
References (Sago Palm Taxonomy)
- Reference 1: Linnaeus, C. (1753). Species Plantarum, Vol. 2. View at Biodiversity Heritage Library / Summary via Wikipedia.
- Reference 2: Encyclopædia Britannica – Species Plantarum & Botanical Taxonomy. Read online at Britannica.
- Reference 3: EBSCO Research Starters – Cycads and Palms Botany Guide. Read summary at EBSCO.