Dioon spinulosum cycad in Phoenix, Arizona

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If you're wondering if a Dioon spinulosum can be grown in the Phoenix area, yes it can. I've had several here in The Tropical Paradise for many years. A Dioon spinulosum, by the way, is a relative of a sago palm (cycas revoluta). They are both cycads, which are ancient plants that give a nice "ferny" look to your garden, but are much tougher. And besides, real ferns won't grow in the Phoenix area, I've tried.

You won't find these at local nurseries here in Phoenix, but they are common in Los Angeles. In fact, in  Southern California you can find them sold everywhere, so they are not exotic plants. So, the next time you're at Disneyland, or in San Diego, stop in at the local Home Depot and get a nice big one. Unlike rare and exotic cycads, they are not expensive. And, like all cycads, they grow slowly, so buy the biggest one your budget can afford.

Like all cycads in the Phoenix area, they prefer a bit of shade. But can get pretty big, so give them room. The one in the photo is next to my dining room window, so it gets afternoon shade. There is no overhang there, so it can grow as tall as it wants to. Cycads live for hundred of years, so I will not live to see it get over ten feet tall, but it can get there.

These plants sunburn easily and they do not like the cold. Be prepared to cover them with frost cloth when the temperatures get below freezing.

Also, keep in mind that "spinulosum" means "spiny" so keep them away from where people will walk. The edges are sharp!

Like all cycads, plant it in free-draining soil on a slope so that water never accumulates around the planting area. I found that they like water, but they don't like standing with their "feet wet". In the photo you can see that one that is surrounded by canna, which do like standing with its feet wet, but the cycad is almost a foot higher up than the surrounding plants. An optical illusion!

By the way, this photo was taken when I transplanted it a couple of years ago, and it is doing fine.

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