Coontie
Zamia integrifolia
Last reviewed: October 2026
Coontie (Zamia integrifolia) is a perennial shrub native to FL, GA. It blooms in April, May, and June. The flowers draw specialist weevils.
Coontie is toxic to dogs and cats.
Listed as toxic by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) (last reviewed 2026-08-15). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 and your veterinarian's emergency line.
Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants so you can choose a pet-safe native alternative for your yard.
Native swaps for a yard with pets
Coontie is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. These natives fill a similar role in a planting and are not on the ASPCA toxic plant list for dogs or cats. Each plant's page carries its dated record.
Light
part shade
Water
low
Size
12"–36" H × 36"–72" W
Bloom
Apr, May, Jun
Native to
FL, GA
Pollinators
specialist weevils
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 460 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
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Browse plants for this ecoregion
A low, palm-like cycad with a mostly underground stem and a rosette of stiff, glossy, dark green pinnate fronds. Slow growing and highly tolerant of heat, drought, and poor soil, it forms a neat, structured clump.
Growing Coontie
Grow Coontie in part shade and low water. Mature plants reach 12 to 36 inches tall and spread 36 to 72 inches wide.
Wildlife value
Host plant for Atala butterfly.
It is the sole host plant for the Atala butterfly, whose caterpillars feed exclusively on its fronds, and its cones are pollinated by a specialized weevil found only on this plant.
Common questions
- How much sun does Coontie need?
- Coontie grows best in part shade conditions.
- When does Coontie bloom?
- Coontie blooms in April, May, and June.
- Where is Coontie native?
- Coontie (Zamia integrifolia) is native to FL, GA, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- Is Coontie toxic to dogs?
- Yes. Coontie is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
- Is Coontie toxic to cats?
- Yes. Coontie is listed as toxic to cats by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
- What butterflies or moths does Coontie host?
- Coontie is a larval host plant for Atala butterfly.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants like Coontie and shows pet-safe natives for your ecoregion instead.