ENCEPHALARTOS PRINCEPS FABLOUS SUPER BLUE SOUTH AFRICAN CYCAD

LOVES HEAT AND FULL COASTAL SUN

Encephalartos princeps is from the Great Kei River, in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. This cycad is also sometimes called the “Kei” cycad, which is derived from it’s locality. In habitat, this species grows primarily in dolerite rock outcroppings and cliffs. The climate is arid and plants are found in full sun exposures. The mature leaf length on this species is a meter or less. Stem heights in cultivation rarely exceed one to one and a half meters. Though, plants in the wild can reach heights of five meters after many centuries. One of the most striking characteristics of this plant is its lovely color (which can vary from a powdery silver to a turquoise blue). This plant can be confused with E. lehmannii, but has a few differences. The cones, stem size and angle of attachment are all different between these two species. You can use these traits to help identify the difference. This plant is it is an excellent grower, and is mostly unarmed. The Female cones on this species are green and the male cones are a greenish/yellow and brown. In coastal and inland areas, this species wants to be grown in sun. For desert areas, I recommend partial sun or filtered light. E. princeps needs a soil that is quick draining and does not like to stay excessively wet.

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