Pebble Cycad

It will thrive on a bright balcony or a sunbathed terrace. It won't be happy in a shady place.

The secret to watering your cycad is to understand its soil moisture level.

Let it dry but not over-dry before watering again. It’s a bit of experimenting to get to the right balance but don’t worry, you’ll get it after a bit of trial and error.

Poke your finger into the soil – if it feels damp, don't water. Let the top layer of soil dry a bit. Once the soil is dryish, it's time for a drink. Water thoroughly until liquid runs out of the drainage hole. The aim is to nourish its lower roots without letting the soil get soggy.

Discard any drained water because the plant doesn't like wet feet and this can cause root rot.

Start with roughly once or twice a week. More in the hot months, less in the monsoon and cooler seasons.

It doesn't like to get too wet.

1. Don't trim off the yellow leaves unless they really bother you. If you really have to, snip off the stems closely to the central trunk.

2. Poke holes in the soil with a chopstick to aerate it and and give the roots a bit of extra breathing room. Sprinkle a tablespoon of vitamins in the soil and massage in.

3. Clean its leaves with a damp cloth if they're dusty to help it soak in extra sunlight. 😎

4. Spin it around to make sure its leaves are sunned evenly as it tends to grow towards the sun.