Karoo cycad Encephalartos lehmannii
Karoo cycad (Encephalartos lehmannii) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Zamiaceae family, native to Eastern Cape Karoo (rocky slopes). It grows 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft) tall and 1.5–2.5 m (4.9–8.2 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -5 °C (23 °F). Space plants about 2 m (6.6 ft) apart.
Plan Karoo cycad in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Karoo cycad at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Zamiaceae |
| Mature height | 1–2 m (3.3–6.6 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1.5–2.5 m (4.9–8.2 ft) |
| Spacing | 2 m (6.6 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 7 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -5 °C (23 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 42 °C (108 °F) |
| Flowering | from about October for 4–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | None |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Eastern Cape Karoo (rocky slopes) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇿🇦 South Africa |
Is Karoo cycad toxic?
- People: severely toxic
- Cats: severely toxic
- Dogs: severely toxic
- Parts: seeds, all parts
Cycasin and neurotoxins: all parts poisonous.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Karoo cycad
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
See Karoo cycad in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- UC Botanical Garden, Berkeley (2 plants)
- Nong Nooch Tropical Botanical Garden (3 plants)
- Kirstenbosch (5 plants)
Questions about Karoo cycad
- How far apart should I plant Karoo cycad?
- About 2 m (6.6 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1.5–2.5 m (4.9–8.2 ft).
- Does Karoo cycad need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 7 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Karoo cycad need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Karoo cycad?
- It tolerates about -5 °C (23 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Karoo cycad flower?
- From about October for 4–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Karoo cycad poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is severely toxic; for dogs severely toxic; for people severely toxic. Cycasin and neurotoxins: all parts poisonous.
- What grows well with Karoo cycad?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Karoo cycad. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- PlantZAfrica, South African National Biodiversity Institute
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, IUCN
Notes and assumptions
- Stiff, silver-blue leaves; Near Threatened. Kirstenbosch's Cycad Amphitheatre holds most South African Encephalartos species.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Eastern Cape giant cycad Encephalartos altensteinii
- Wood's cycad Encephalartos woodii
- Cardboard palm Zamia furfuracea
- Burrawang (cycad) Macrozamia communis
- Bigleaf hydrangea Hydrangea macrophylla
- Rhododendron Rhododendron
- Boxwood Buxus sempervirens
- Oleander Nerium oleander