Encephalartos cycadifolius is easily grown from seed. In cultivation, pollination is necessary for a successful seed harvest. Pollen can be collected as soon as the male cones begin shedding (if a light tapping of the male cone produces pollen then the cones are ready to harvest). The collected pollen must be stored at minus 15º C for best results. The female cone has to be monitored to check when the scales open. The window of the scale opening varies from plant to plant, and may last from three days to two weeks. We have achieved a good pollination rate at Kirstenbosch using the wet method (pollen mixed with distilled water and applied by syringe).

After female cones have been collected, the seed is left to mature for a year before sowing at the beginning of summer. For best results, seed is sown in river sand on a heated bench at 24-28º C. Germination should start three weeks after sowing, but may sometimes take longer.

Special care must be taken when adult plants are transplanted, as Encephalartos cycadifolius is slow-growing and can easily die or take a long time to recover from relocation. Leaves and cones are prone to scale and mealy bug. Each spring at Kirstenbosch, we feed each plant with a nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) mixture of 3:1:5, as well as bone meal and an organic fertilizer (Bounce back®). We also add a generous helping of compost at regular intervals during the year.