ENCEPHALARTOS ARENARIUS – BLUE, BLUE-GREEN & GREEN VARIETIES RARE SOUTH AFRICAN CYCAD

Encephalartos arenarius is from the coastal dunes and forest close to Alexandria in the Eastern Cape.  This species is small to medium in mature size.  Leaf length can range from one to two meters (i.e. three to six feet approximately) depending on cultivar and exposure to sun.  Like many of the Encephalartos from the Eastern Cape, this species is variable in color, size and leaf type.  E. arenarius can range in color from a dull green to a powdery white color (bearing a likeness to E. horridus). The plants we are putting on special below are first the blue form followed by a blue-green plant and finally the green form.  To get the blue color this species will want full sun or an ample amount of sun.  It prefers a well draining soil.  Speed of growth of this cycad is good.  

This first E. arenarius shown below is in a 35 gallon container and has a caudex that is 15 inches wide and 15 inches tall.  It came from a private collection and has an age of about 30 years. Its leaves are fairly blue in color.  At this moment I am not certain of the sex.  It’s too big for standard mail order.