This plant grows best in light shade or full sun. This species is frost tolerant and is a fast grower, if it is provided with deep, well-drained soil and is watered frequently.

Encephalartos msinganus is propagated by seed and suckers. Sow seed in river sand and place on a heated bench at 24–28ºC. Germination should start 3 weeks after sowing. However, some seeds will take longer, especially where there is no heat. At the one-leaf stage of development, the seedlings are susceptible to infection by the fungus that causes damping off.

Most cycads produce basal growths, known as pups or suckers. These are small vegetative offsets that are genetically identical to the mother plant. The best time to remove a sucker is in early spring (July-September), during the dormant period.

When a sucker reaches a size of about 80 mm diameter, dig the soil away from around the main cycad to expose the sucker and clean any dirt from the sucker and the main cycad. Use a sharp, clean, cutting tool such as a saw, chisel or knife to cut off the sucker. Make a clean cut at the point of attachment of the sucker to the main plant. As a precaution, especially to valuable species, apply fungicide, Sulphur or a tree seal to the cut area, on both the sucker and the mother plant, to prevent disease and attacks by pests.

If the sucker is large enough (minimum of 250 mm) and it has enough roots, it is best to immediately plant it straight into the ground. Smaller suckers and suckers with no roots of their own must be taken to the nursery, where they should be left to in a cool, dry area to dry for a few weeks to allow the wounds to form a callus.

The next step is to pot the cycad so that it can produce new roots. The sucker must be properly inspected before potting, check the top and bottom of the sucker for any signs of rot. Remove all the leaves. At the base of the sucker, in the root area of the plant, use a sharp knife or chisel to make a sharp cut to expose the meristematic tissue, which is in the area where the new roots will develop. Apply a root stimulant powder at the base of the sucker and in the freshly cut tissue immediately before the tissue dries and seals the wound. Pot the sucker using river sand, for good drainage. The pot should be large enough to accommodate the size of the sucker and give some room for the roots to develop, about 10–15 cm. The time it takes for the cycad to produce roots and new leaves varies between species, but usually takes 6-10months.

For the sucker to develop new roots quickly its must be placed in warm glasshouse, this important because the rooting occurs faster at warmer temperatures. Once the plant has formed roots and a new set of leaves, it can be planted in the ground or into a larger pot. Usually, when the roots come from the base it is a good indication that the plant is ready to be planted into the ground. When moving the cycad into a larger pot, use a deep pot. A recommended potting medium is 50% bark, 50% river sand, bone meal and an organic fertilizer. When a newly transplanted cycad produces cones before leaves, take note that it is a sign that the cycad is stressed and the cone must be removed as soon as possible.

When transplanting cycads with large trunks, cut back about two thirds of the leaves. The remaining leaves can be tied up with a wide strap to facilitate the digging close to the cycad stem. The new hole should be filled with compost-enriched, sandy soil to the desired depth. Make sure that the soil underneath is not clay because this will retain lot of water which can cause the cycad to rot.