Growing Brackenridgea zanguebarica has proven to be very challenging by both sexual (seeds) and asexual (cuttings) propagation methods. The seeds are suspected to be parasitised, however, there is currently no evidence that proves this theory. The seeds are thought to have physical dormancy, this is due to the hard seed coat that is impermeable by water and oxygen preventing embryo emergence. With regards to the asexual propagation method, rooting is suspected to be affected by temperature, moisture, light and hormonal imbalance to initiate roots.

The only study, by Tiawoun et al. in 2019, has proved that B. zanguebarica is difficult to establish in propagation. Nevertheless, during a pilot study led by Gabayi in 2021, it was proven to be possible to successfully propagate this species by the air layering propagation technique. Use a sharp-edged blade to remove the cambium (bark and cellular tissue) and open an incision of 40-50 mm wide below the node. Scratch around the wood to ensure disconnection of the cambium, and apply hormone powder or gel within the meristematic tissue (an area around the nodes). This propagation technique can only be conducted on-site and not in a controlled environment. Prepare the soil medium, ideally peat moss or sphagnum moss, add a pinch of hydrogel powder mix to keep the soil moist but not wet, and place on a plastic sheet, cover the incision with the plastic full of soil and wrap it around the wound, tie both ends of the plastic tightly with  twine and cover with heavy duty aluminium foil. This should be done during the warm and humid season (October to March). This technique has proven to be highly successful, with over 90% success rate, although not reliable due to ongoing plant poaching.

While air layering became a challenge, in parallel, another asexual propagation technique, stem cuttings, was trialed. Cuttings were taken in the early morning while the plants were still in their full vigour. Select one year old growth for cuttings, as they have highly active meristematic tissue. Prepare cuttings of 50-100 mm in length by cutting below the node and make a slant cut above the top node. Prepare a soil medium mix of one part vermiculite and one part sifted fine bark (1:1) or one part perlite and one part sifted fine bark (1:1), mix well and fill in plug trays, use any recommended soil sterilising agent prior to inserting cuttings. Ideally use hormone powder for hardwood and insert in the soil medium. Place theses cuttings on an under-heated bench set at 23-26 °C for two to three weeks. This technique has proven to be moderately successful with at least 30% root development. Further studies are being conducted to improve on this propagation technique.

The sexual propagation method (seed germination) proves to be highly challenging due to physical dormancy. To break seed dormancy a number of techniques can be used, such as scarification which involves chemical scarification (softening of the seed coat by using hot water over a period of time, and chemicals) and mechanical scarification (scratching the seed to allow water imbibition and gas exchange as well as use of mycorrhiza fungi). In one of the trials lead by Gabayi in 2023, a soil medium mix of one part compost, two parts sand and one part fine bark (1:2:1) with about 0.5 parts of beneficial fungi on a 3 mm stone chip substrate was prepared. From this propagation method, a poor germination percentage of 1.5% was obtained. Further studies are being conducted to better understand the seed dormancy.

As it stands it remains a challenge to successfully propagate this species, and it is a challenge to keep Brackenridgea zanguebarica actively growing in cultivation.