Hailing from the exposed grasslands of the Drakensberg, Encephalartos ghellinckii is a tough, resilient cycad that shrugs off cool, damp mountain weather. Its dark green, leathery leaflets and dense rosette give it a sculptural, ancient charm, and mature plants male and female on separate individuals bear large cylindrical cones. This seedling is a fine foundation for a long-lived specimen, best grown in bright light with sharp drainage.