Plants are well suited to temperate and subtropical climates. They make good garden subjects on their own or can be mixed with aloes, euphorbias and any other succulent plants to create a water-wise garden in full sun. Furthermore, they are fascinating if grown together with palms and herbaceous perennials where a tropical effect is desired. They are ideal pot plants, and remain admirable for their entire growing period.

Propagation of E. inopinus is easy from seeds or suckers. For more details about growing cycads from seed see Encepharlatos ferox.

Lydenburg cycads require a minimal amount of water and unfortunately are more vulnerable to rot infection than most other cycad species. The rainfall in their natural environment is about 375 mm per year, mainly in summer. Improve soil drainage or grow these cycads on a slope, as they are often found in nature, to prevent rot.