Encephalartos trispinosus:

E. trispinosus is famous for its powdery blue to bluish-silver leaves and fiercely armed leaflets, making it one of the most sought-after cycads in cultivation (Encphalartos Trispinosus)

• Leaves:
  • Typically 50 cm to 1.2 meters long
  • Powdery blue-gray to silvery-blue, especially when grown in full sun
  • Leaflets are short, thick, and heavily spined — often with three prominent spines (hence the name “trispinosus“)
  • Leaflets are widely spaced, giving it an open, sculptural look
• Trunk:
  • Can be underground or emerge up to 1–1.5 meters
  • Usually solitary but can sometimes produce pups at the base

Cones:

• Dioecious: Separate male and female plants
• Male cones: Long and narrow, bluish with a frosted appearance
• Female cones: Shorter, rounder, and often even more blue-powdered
• Very attractive and typically emerge low to the ground (Encphalartos Trispinosus)

Habitat & Ecology:

• Native to dry, rocky hillsides and scrublands in the Eastern Cape
• Adapted to full sun, low water, and poor, stony soils
• Well camouflaged in the wild — the blue leaves help reflect sun and blend into the dry landscape

Cultivation & Care

• Light: Full sun brings out the most intense blue tones
• Soil: Very well-draining, gritty or sandy is best
• Water: Low; prefers dry conditions once established
• Cold Tolerance: Handles mild frost; needs protection in hard freezes
• Growth Rate: Slow, like most cycads, but worth the wait
• Landscape Use: Perfect for rock gardens, xeriscapes, or blue-themed plant designs (Encphalartos Trispinosus)

️ Conservation:

• Protected under CITES Appendix I
• Wild populations are vulnerable due to habitat destruction and poaching
• Ethically grown, nursery-propagated specimens are widely available and help protect wild plants

Why It’s a Favorite:

• That intense powdery blue color — like a succulent and a cycad had a love child
• Its compact size makes it easier to display in smaller gardens or containers
• The heavily armored leaflets give it a prehistoric, almost alien vibe

Want to see how it stacks up next to E. horridus or E. cupidus? Or maybe you’re curious about how to bring out those deep blue hues? I got you.