Leucadendron teretifolium can be propagated from seed or cuttings. Growing from seed is the easier method, demanding less equipment and skills, but cuttings if taken at the correct time and using good cutting material, can also be successful.

It is difficult to advise an exact time to take cuttings, as it is very dependent on the weather. Generally the window period is anywhere between December to March (summer time). What you are looking for, is the new vegetative growth that has elongated and hardened off slightly. Once this happens, the cuttings are ready to harvest, and at this stage, will provide the highest rooting success. Take your cuttings from the tips of branches and make sure they are semi-hardwood, i.e. will not wilt and be too soft. Soft cuttings tend to rot before they manage to root. Once you have harvested material, soak in a water bath containing a very weak liquid feed, such as a seaweed extract and a fungicide. Make the cuttings about 60 mm long and dip in a rooting hormone. Place in a well-drained medium and mist lightly. A bottom heat of 25ºC will increase the rooting success. Give a dilute foliar feed once a week. Once the cuttings have rooted well, remove them from the mist and bottom heat, and harden them off for three weeks before planting up.

Sow seed in late summer to autumn (April/May) when the days are still warm but the nights have started to cool off. Sow the seed into a well-drained medium and cover lightly. Water well with a fine spray ensuring the seed and medium are not displaced. The seed can be sown in an open bed or a seed tray with a depth of at least 100 mm. Place in a sunny position. Germination will begin after two to three weeks. Once two true leaves have sprouted, plant the seedlings into small bags. Water with a half strength solution of seaweed liquid feed. Grow on in bags until the seedlings are strong and healthy. Plant them into the garden at the start of the rainy season.

Leucadendron teretifolium requires a hot, sunny situation with very good drainage. Add compost at planting and water regularly during the first year to allow plants to establish themselves. They are suited to planting in a rockery, large pot or in a mixed fynbos garden.

Once proteas become diseased, they are very difficult to treat; it is better to prevent disease rather than try to cure it. Make sure environmental conditions are correct: this includes getting direct sunlight for most of the day, a well-drained soil which does not stay saturated and good air circulation ensuring above-ground parts of the plant dry quickly after watering. Use a thick layer of mulch to ensure that the soil stays cool in the hot months and do not disturb roots by digging.