Karoo cycad
Encephalartos lehmannii · Zamiaceae
📷 JMK · CC BY-SA 3.0
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around karoo cycad and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Foliage
- Evergreen, pinnate, blue-grey
- Flowering
- Spring-summer, red or yellow cones
- Mature size
- 1.5 to 2 m tall, 1 to 1.5 m wide
- Growth rate
- Very slow
- Hardiness
- Frost-tender, minimum +5 to +10 °C
- Origin
- South Africa (Afromontane)
- Soil type
- Well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral
Care
Watering
Water moderately during the growing season (April-September), allowing the substrate to dry out slightly between waterings. In winter, drastically reduce watering as the plant enters dormancy. Watch out for excess moisture which causes root rot: good drainage is your best protection.
Light
Place it in bright light, ideally in full sun or partial shade. Indoors, position it near a very bright window. This cycad appreciates morning rays but tolerates light shade in warm climates.
Soil and substrate
Use a very well-drained mix: cactus/succulent soil blended with coarse sand or perlite (50-50). Add gravel at the bottom of the pot to prevent water pooling. Repot every 3-4 years in spring, handling the roots carefully.
Fertilizer
Diluted, balanced fertilizer (NPK 10-10-10 or similar) once a month from April to September only. Stop feeding in autumn and winter. Cycads aren't heavy feeders but appreciate this light regularity.
Pruning and cleaning
No strict pruning is necessary: growth is natural and slow. Simply remove old dead or damaged leaves at the base of the trunk. Clean the foliage regularly with a damp cloth to remove dust and boost photosynthesis.
Pests and diseases
Watch out for spider mites, scale insects and mealybugs in dry air. Maintain moderate humidity and mist the leaves occasionally. Check petioles regularly. Root rot is the main risk: ensure impeccable substrate and drainage.
Did you know?
Encephalartos lehmannii is one of the rarest cycads in the world, listed as critically endangered in South Africa. This living fossil dates back over 280 million years and coexisted with dinosaurs. Its scientific name means 'breadcrust head' in reference to the appearance of its strobilus (reproductive cone).
Where to buy it
Plant in spring, once all risk of frost has gone. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: from April to June.
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.