Repotting guide

When & how to repot Burrawang Palm (Macrozamia spiralis)

Also called Burrawang Palm, Burrawang, Spiralling Macrozamia.

More about burrawang palm

About Burrawang Palm

Macrozamia spiralis · also called Burrawang Palm, Burrawang · tropical

Macrozamia spiralis is a slow-growing Australian cycad native to coastal NSW, producing a short trunk and arching, dark-green fronds with spirally arranged leaflets. It tolerates dry, sandy soils and partial shade, making it a striking low-maintenance specimen for frost-free gardens. All parts are severely toxic to pets and humans.

Mature size: 1–1.5 m tall, 1.5–2 m spread

Watch for — Root rot: Caused by overwatering or poorly drained soil. Symptoms include yellowing fronds and a soft, mushy caudex base. Remove affected roots, dust with fungicide, and repot into dry, free-draining mix. Allow the plant to dry before resuming watering.

How to tell burrawang palm needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For burrawang palm, watch for these signs:

Roots growing out of the drainage holes, or the rootball lifting the plant proud of the rim.
Soil that has shrunk away from the pot sides and no longer holds water.
The pot is unstable because the plant has grown top-heavy.
Old, compacted, broken-down mix that stays wet too long — for a succulent that is a rot risk, so refresh it even if the pot size is fine.

For the underlying biology of a pot-bound root system and why it stalls a plant, see our guide to spotting and fixing a root-bound plant.

How often to repot burrawang palm

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix. Burrawang Palm's growth habit — clumping rosette; short subterranean to partially emergent trunk, arching pinnate fronds to 1.5 m — sets the pace. Macrozamia spiralis is a slow-growing Australian cycad native to coastal NSW, producing a short trunk and arching, dark-green fronds with spirally arranged leaflets. It tolerates dry, sandy soils and partial shade, making it a striking low-maintenance specimen for frost-free gardens. All parts are severely toxic to pets and humans.

What size pot to step burrawang palm up to

Use a pot only one size up — or even the same pot with fresh gritty mix if the roots have room. Burrawang Palm stores water and rots in a large pot of slow-drying soil. A tight terracotta pot that dries fast is far safer than a generous plastic one. Never up-pot a succulent by several sizes.

Not sure of the exact diameter? Our pot size calculator takes the current pot and root spread and tells you the right next size — it deliberately recommends a single step up, never a big jump.

The best time of year to repot burrawang palm

Spring or summer, while burrawang palm is in active growth and warm, is best — roots recover fastest then, and the plant is not sitting in cool damp soil. Avoid repotting a succulent in winter dormancy.

Step-by-step: repotting burrawang palm

Repot dry. Do not water burrawang palm for several days first. Working with dry roots and dry mix dramatically lowers the rot risk for a succulent.
Pick a snug, fast-draining pot. Choose terracotta one size up at most, with a drainage hole. Have gritty sandy, free-draining loam ready.
Tip it out and clean the roots. Slide the plant out, crumble off the old soil, and trim any black, mushy or dead roots with clean snips.
Pot into dry mix. Set burrawang palm at its original depth in dry gritty mix, firming gently. Do not bury the stem deeper than it was.
Wait a week before watering. Leave it completely dry and out of harsh sun for about 7 days so any damaged roots callus. Only then water lightly.

Aftercare

Keep burrawang palm completely dry and out of fierce sun for about a week so any nicked roots callus before they meet moisture; watering a freshly repotted succulent is the classic way to rot it. Then resume the normal lean, dry rhythm. Do not fertilise for about 3 weeks — fresh mix already carries nutrients and feeding freshly disturbed roots scorches them.

The right soil mix for burrawang palm

Burrawang Palm wants sandy, free-draining loam. Requires excellent drainage. Use a mix of coarse sand, perlite, and loam (or a cactus/palm blend). Avoid heavy clay or moisture-retentive potting mixes. Naturally grows in sandstone-derived soils in the wild. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting burrawang palm — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot burrawang palm?

Every 2–3 years, into bone-dry mix for burrawang palm. Repot burrawang palm every 2–3 years into a snug pot of sandy, free-draining loam, ideally in spring or summer. Let it sit in dry soil and do not water for about a week afterwards so any nicked roots can callus. Over-potting and watering straight away is what rots succulents.

What size pot does burrawang palm need?

When is the best time of year to repot burrawang palm?

Should you water burrawang palm after repotting?

No — not straight away. Repot burrawang palm into dry mix and wait about a week before the first watering so any damaged roots callus over. Watering a freshly repotted succulent is the single most common way to rot one.

Should you fertilise burrawang palm after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 3 weeks after repotting burrawang palm. Fresh mix already contains nutrients, and feeding freshly cut or disturbed roots burns them. Resume your normal feeding routine once you see new growth.