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Encephalartos princeps (Kei Cycad) - A medium-sized to large evergreen cycad with a sturdy, erect or sprawling trunk to 12 feet tall, growing in clumps of up to fifteen stems, with new suckers produced freely from the base. It is suited to subtropical and temperate regions. These plants require full sun and excellent drainage and tolerate heavy frosts. It is native to the exposed rocky outcrops in Eastern Cape province, South Africa where it experiences dry, mild to hot summers, and cold winters with frequent heavy frosts. In cultivation this plant is most easily confused with E. lehmannii which differs in not having its leaflets in the same plane. Opposing E. lehmannii leaflets can be folded together flat while E. princeps leaves come together side to side. With age E. princeps is a much larger plant.
The information about Encephalartos princeps that is displayed on this web page is based on research conducted in our nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We will also include observations made about this plant as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens that we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We also incorporate comments that we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they share cultural information that aids others growing this plant.
Please note that after 46 years in business, San Marcos Growers will be discontinuing nursery operations by the end of 2025 and the property will be developed for affordable housing.
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