Dioon edule (Chestnut Dioon)

Slow-growing, Dioon edule (Chestnut Dioon) is an elegant, palm-like, evergreen cycad with an open rosette of large, stiff, and straight, blue-green, pinnate leaves, up to 3-6 ft. long (90-180 cm). Borne atop a short stocky trunk, the leaves are divided into up to 120-160 spine-tipped, narrow leaflets. This plant is dioecious, presenting separate male and female plants. Distinctive cones appear on male and female plants in alternate years. The male pollen cones are pale brown, up to 16 in. across (40 cm), while the female seed cones are more egg-shaped, soft and furry, pale gray, up to 14 in. across (35 cm). Resembling pineapples, the seed cones are very decorative and can contain up to 200 or more edible seeds. Drought and salt tolerant, Dioon edule is also one of the most cold-hardy cycads. It can survive temperatures down to 22ºF (-5ºC). Long-lived (several hundred years), Chestnut Dioon is easy to grow and an excellent choice for low-maintenance gardens where its lush foliage adds a tropical touch. Spectacular as a specimen, in groupings or in containers (container-grown plants are unlikely to produce any seed).

• Winner of the prestigious Award of Garden Merit of the Royal Horticultural Society
• Grows up to 6-8 ft. tall (180-240 cm) and 4-6 ft. wide (120-180 cm).
• Easily grown in moist, humusy, gritty, well-drained soils in full sun to part shade. Best in partial shade, especially in hotter climates. Tolerates poor soils. Drought tolerant once established.
• No serious disease or pest issues. Keep an eye out for cycad aulacaspis scale and caterpillars
• Propagate by offsets or seed (it is among the easiest plants to germinate).
• Native to the eastern coast of Mexico.