Florida Coontie

(6 customer reviews)
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Ships December 6th - December 13th.

Select Pot

  • Grower
    Ships in our standard grower pot which includes drainage holes at the bottom.
  • Selva
                                                                                                                                                                    

    12 inches wide. Made with recycled plastic and natural materials. Weather resistant, insulating, frost resistant, chip and crack resistant. Includes plug and saucer.

  • Viento
                                                                                                                                                                    

    12 inches wide. Made with recycled plastic and natural materials. Weather resistant, insulating, frost resistant, chip and crack resistant. Does not include a drainage hole.

This product is not California Certified.

$ 72.00
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3-in-1 Moisture Meter

Take the guesswork out of watering and light. Quickly and easily determine your plants water and light levels, along with pH value.

  • No batteries required
  • Easy to read moisture, light, and pH levels with large dial.
  • Perfect for Indoor or Outdoor Plants.
  • How to Use: Simply insert moisture meter 3-4 inches into the soil, toggle switch to test moisture, light, or pH level you would like to measure.
  • Designed only for testing soil. Please be sure to not touch stone or hard rock soil.
  • ***Please note that pH test value cannot be applied to any other liquid than water.

Natural Root Stimulant

Natural probiotics, organics, and moisture control gel boost root growth. Invigorates existing plants, reduces transplant shock and accelerates establishment of new plants. This all natural product will not burn roots.

When Transplanting: Apply between new soil and plant so stimulant touches root ball.

For Existing Plants: Apply stimulant 2-3 inches below top of soil.

Use the proper amount for each pot size:
6″ Pot: ½ Pack
8-10″ Pot: 1 Pack
12-14″ pot: 2 Packs

Organic Outdoor Potting Mix

PlantVine’s Organic Outdoor Potting Soil is time-tested and proven to help your outdoor potted plants thrive. This is our best all-purpose mix, and a smart choice for a wide variety of outdoor plants, flowers and vegetables. The all natural ingredients are specially blended to provide excellent long term drainage, high air porosity and good water holding capability. This mix contains no artificial fertilizers or chemicals. Each bag contains 128 oz of soil.

Repotting:
6” pot into an 8-10” planter: About 1.5 bags
8-10” pot into a 12-14” planter: About 3 bags

Soluble Fertilizer

Great for indoor and outdoor potted plants, this fertilizer quickly dissolves in water, making fertilizing as quick and simple as possible. Just mix 1 teaspoon (scoop included) with 1 gallon of water, and water as normal. Makes 48 gallons.

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We even send you a picture of your plants before they ship.

Scientific Names: Zamia integrifolia ‘Floridana’ (fmr. Zamia pumila)

Common Names: Florida Coontie, Zamia Palm, Seminole Breadroot

Overview: Introduce the timeless elegance of Zamia integrifolia ‘Floridana’, also known as the Florida Coontie or Floridana Zamia, into your landscape or indoor collection. This ancient cycad, reminiscent of a time when dinosaurs roamed the earth, is a dwarf variety perfect for smaller spaces. Its glossy, feather-like fronds form a lush, cyclical crown, creating a striking visual impact in any setting. Perfectly sized for rock gardens, borders, or as a refined potted plant, it reaches a modest 2-3 feet in both height and spread. The Floridana Zamia is not only beautiful but also incredibly resilient, tolerating a range of light conditions from dappled shade to full sun and thriving in well-drained soil. It’s a low-maintenance, drought-resistant choice once established, ideal for busy gardeners seeking a prehistoric touch of greenery that requires minimal care.

Description

Caring for your Coontie

The Florida Coontie (Zamia integrifolia), also known as “Coontie Palm” or “Seminole Breadroot,” is a fascinating, ancient plant native to Florida and other parts of the southeastern United States. Despite its palm-like appearance, the Florida Coontie is actually a cycad, one of the oldest known plant species dating back millions of years. With its lush, feathery foliage and ability to thrive in a range of environments, the Florida Coontie is a popular landscape plant that is both hardy and low-maintenance.

Light

Florida Coontie is a highly adaptable plant when it comes to light. It can grow in full sun, partial shade, or even areas with dappled sunlight. However, it will perform best in a location that receives a mix of sunlight and shade throughout the day. In full sun, the Coontie tends to grow more compact with a dense, bright green appearance, while in shadier areas, it will grow taller and more open with darker leaves.

If grown indoors as a houseplant, place the Coontie near a window where it can receive indirect sunlight or partial sun for part of the day. It can tolerate low-light conditions but may not grow as vigorously as when given more light.

Water

The Florida Coontie is drought-tolerant once established, making it an excellent choice for xeriscaping and low-water gardens. However, consistent watering during its early growth stages is essential to help the roots establish. During the first year after planting, water the Coontie regularly, allowing the soil to dry slightly between waterings. Once established, the plant requires little supplemental water, as it is well adapted to survive dry spells. Overwatering can lead to root rot, so it’s important to ensure that the soil drains well and does not stay waterlogged.

When watering your Coontie, make sure to water deeply to encourage strong root growth. During prolonged dry periods, an occasional deep watering will benefit the plant, but frequent watering is unnecessary.

Soil

Florida Coontie prefers well-draining soil and can tolerate a range of soil types, from sandy soils to loamy or slightly rocky soils. In its native habitat, it often grows in sandy areas, so it is highly suited to well-draining environments. If you’re planting in a garden with heavier, clay-like soil, be sure to amend the soil with sand or perlite to improve drainage. The plant can tolerate acidic to neutral pH levels, so it isn’t fussy about specific soil chemistry.

For container-grown Coonties, use a well-draining potting mix that mimics its natural sandy environment. A cactus or palm mix works well, as these blends provide good drainage and don’t retain excess moisture around the roots.

Temperature

As a plant native to Florida, the Coontie thrives in warm, tropical, or subtropical climates. It is hardy in USDA zones 8-11 and can withstand temperatures down to around 20°F (-6°C) for short periods. However, prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures can damage the foliage or kill the plant. In regions prone to cold winters, it’s best to grow Coontie in containers so they can be brought indoors or into a protected area during cold snaps.

Coontie is well-suited to the hot, humid summers typical of the southeastern U.S. and also fares well in the dry seasons, thanks to its drought tolerance. For those in cooler zones, Coontie can be grown indoors as a unique and resilient houseplant.

Fertilization

While Florida Coontie is not a heavy feeder, applying a light dose of balanced, slow-release fertilizer once or twice a year can promote healthy growth. A general-purpose fertilizer with a balanced NPK ratio (e.g., 10-10-10 or 8-8-8) works well. Apply fertilizer in the spring and, if desired, again in late summer.

Because Coontie has evolved in nutrient-poor soils, over-fertilizing can actually be detrimental. It’s better to under-fertilize this plant than to overdo it, as excess nutrients can lead to weak growth or burn the roots.

Pruning

Florida Coontie is a low-maintenance plant that requires minimal pruning. The plant’s palm-like fronds are naturally tidy and don’t need shaping. However, you can remove any yellowing or damaged fronds as needed to keep the plant looking healthy and neat. Be sure to use clean, sharp pruning shears to make clean cuts at the base of the frond.

Other than occasional removal of dead or damaged fronds, there is little else required in terms of pruning. Coontie is a slow grower, which means that it won’t outgrow its space quickly or require frequent trimming.

 Pest and Disease Control

Florida Coontie is relatively resistant to pests and diseases. However, scale insects and mealybugs can sometimes infest the plant, particularly in indoor or greenhouse settings. Regularly inspect the undersides of the fronds and the base of the plant for signs of pests. If you notice an infestation, treat the plant with insecticidal soap or neem oil to eliminate the problem.

The most common disease issue for Coontie is root rot, caused by overwatering or poorly draining soil. To prevent this, make sure the plant is in well-draining soil and that you allow the soil to dry out between waterings. If root rot does occur, remove affected roots and repot the plant in fresh, well-draining soil.

 

Note: While Coontie is beneficial for wildlife, it’s important to note that all parts of the plant contain toxins, particularly the seeds, which can be poisonous if ingested. Keep this in mind if you have pets or young children in your garden.

Additional information

Zone

10a, 10b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b

Mature Height

2ft – 3ft

Spacing

3ft – 4ft

6 reviews for Florida Coontie

  1. Verified Buyer (verified owner)

    Plant arrived in excellent condition and was packaged wonderfully.

  2. Russ Bogue (verified owner)

    Fed Ex was rough with the boxes. They also didn’t deliver the boxes to the house but left them down by road at the mailbox. Never had a delivery company to lazy to deliver to the house.

  3. Linda (verified owner)

    The plants were packaged well, and in excellent health. Totally met my expectations!

  4. Paula (verified owner)

  5. Anonymous (verified owner)

    Thank you for sending a beautiful healthy plant!

  6. Beth Braverman (verified owner)

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Why others chose the Florida Coontie

I bought one last year plus a different kind. They were both beautiful. Extremely healthy and packaged to perfection. Nothing was out of place when they arrived. Thank you for taking such great care of your plants and especially these. The coonties r hard to find and finding healthy ones almost impossible!