Although Encephalartos latifrons is very slow growing, this species does well in cultivation provided that it is planted in well drained soil, enjoys full sun and a cool winter without frost; it does not do well in subtropical climates. In its natural habitat, E. latifrons is subject to hot, dry summers and cool, frost-free winters. The high humidity and warmer winters in subtropical regions are probably not suited to this species. High pressure irrigation systems, which produce a strong jet of water, are to be avoided as they are fatal for all species of cycad. The strong jet of water will destroy the leaves as well as the stem of the plant. Cycads require regular feeding to maintain a healthy plant. A 50 mm thick mulch of well-matured compost applied in the autumn helps to improve the soil and benefits the cycads. In the early spring apply a mixture of bone meal, organic fertilizer and a balanced inorganic fertilizer to each plant.

Large specimens make excellent accent plants surrounded by lower growing species such as E. horridus, with the grey leaves contrasting well with the dark green leaves of E. latifrons. Young plants make ideal container plants. Good, sharp drainage is essential with regular watering plus annual feeding which will keep the plant healthy.

Scale and mealybugs, which are found on the underside of the leaves, could be a problem. Spray with a systemic insecticide. Mature plants when coning could attract snout beetles which destroy the seed. A contact insecticide needs to be applied to eliminate them. As new leaves appear they can be damaged by a tiny mite. A contact insecticide needs to be applied regularly every two weeks when the new leaves start appearing.

Encephalartos latifrons has been cultivated at Kirstenbosch since 1913 and propagation by seed has been poor, with below 10% germination. Recently (2014), the Kirstenbosch research team has solved the low seed germination problem. Hand pollinating the female cone with pollen harvested from a male cone is necessary in ex situ collections for production of viable seed and prevention of hybridization.  In the past, at Kirstenbosch, hand pollination was carried out using the wet hand pollination method. However, an M.Sc. research study showed that wet pollination negatively affects seed embryo development and subsequent seed germination, compared to dry pollination. The study recommends dry pollination in the afternoon period when pollination droplets are abundant. Furthermore, after natural cone disintegration, seeds should be dusted with powder fungicide and stored for 12 months in relatively dry conditions. The recommended protocol yields over 50% seed germination.

Stored seed can be sown in summer on a bed of clean sand which has bottom heat of between 25–28°C. Within five weeks, the seeds start germinating, first producing a radicle followed by the leaves. By the following spring the seedlings are large enough to be planted and into a 3 litre plastic sleeve. A well-drained growing medium is essential. Until established, the young seedling must be watered sparingly.

The other method of propagation is by removing well-developed suckers, a minimum of 250 mm in diameter, from the parent plant. Remove all the leaves before carefully pulling them away from the main stem. The sucker should be left to dry off the wound before planting in clean sand to encourage rooting. Once well rooted, the sucker can be planted out into the open ground.