Encephalartos aemulans or Ngotshe cycad

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Care of the cycad Encephalartos aemulans or Ngotshe cycad

The genus Encephalartos, family Zamiaceae, includes 60 species of cycads native to Africa. Some species are: Encephalartos aemulans, Encephalartos transvenosus, Encephalartos lehmannii, Encephalartos villosus, Encephalartos senticosus, Encephalartos natalensis, Encephalartos lebomboensis, Encephalartos horridus, Encephalartos ferox, Encephalartos altensteinii, Encephalartos paucidentatus.

Common name: Ngotshe cycad. This species is native to Kwazulu-Natal, South Africa.

Encephalartos aemulans is a dioecious cycad with a long stem that does not branch and reaches 2 metres (6.56 feet) in height and 5 metres (16.4 feet) in diameter; it produces shoots at the base. The long leaves, up to 1.5 metres (4.92 feet) long, have narrow, pointed, bright green leaflets. The male and female cones are very similar: the male cones are more yellowish and the female cones are greenish.

Ngotshe cycad is used in undergrowth, in rockeries, as isolated specimens and in large pots when young.

Encephalartos aemulans grows in semi-shade and full sun exposures. In Mediterranean climates, direct sun should be avoided during the central hours of the day. It resists light and occasional frosts.

Ngotshe cycad prefers sandy soil that contains a little organic matter.

Water regularly, waiting until the soil has almost completely dried out. It does not resist prolonged drought.

Fertilize with a little humus or compost in autumn.

Encephalartos aemulans does not need pruning.

Ngotshe cycad is a plant that is quite resistant to the usual pests and diseases.

Encephalartos aemulans is propagated from seeds sown in spring in a sandy seedbed and by separating the shoots at the beginning of spring.