Skip to content

Bread Palm

Encephalartos Altensteinii

Design with this plant

Overview

The Bread Palm, Encephalartos altensteinii, is a long-lived South African cycad characterized by its robust trunk reaching up to 6-16 feet high and dense crown of pinnate leaves extending up to 10 feet in length. Its striking foliage adds a tropical flair to landscapes. It thrives in well-drained soil, preferring full to partial sun exposure. Cold-tolerant to around 20-25°F, it's an impressive, slow-growing specimen for warm regions.

Sun Half, ShadeWater High, MediumZones 5–11Climate Subtropical

Culture

Sun
Half, Shade
Water
High, Medium
USDA zones
5–11

Shape & size

Classification

Family
Zamiaceae
Climate
Subtropical

See full data, regional cultivation notes, full-resolution photos, and design tools. Build a client presentation around this plant.

Start your 14-day trial

Photos (186)

Bread Palm (Encephalartos Altensteinii) — consider its eventual size and incorporate sufficient space to accommodate its wide leaf spread
Bread Palm (Encephalartos Altensteinii) — making it ideal for xeriscaping or regions with water restrictions
Bread Palm (Encephalartos Altensteinii) — The Bread Palm is drought-tolerant once established
Bread Palm (Encephalartos Altensteinii) — adds a dramatic and exotic touch to gardens
Bread Palm (Encephalartos Altensteinii) — It thrives in USDA hardiness zones 9 to 11 and prefers full sun to light shade, along with well-drained soil
Bread Palm (Encephalartos Altensteinii) — often praised for its sculptural form and longevity
Bread Palm (Encephalartos Altensteinii) — arching blue-green leaves stretching up to 6 feet long.<br><br>This prehistoric species
Bread Palm (Encephalartos Altensteinii) — supports a crown of attractive
Bread Palm (Encephalartos Altensteinii) — which can grow to 2 feet in diameter
Bread Palm (Encephalartos Altensteinii) — but can soar up to 15 feet when given ample time and space
Bread Palm (Encephalartos Altensteinii) — this slow-growing cycad typically reaches heights of 5 to 8 feet
Bread Palm (Encephalartos Altensteinii) — is an impressive and striking addition to any landscape
Bread Palm (Encephalartos Altensteinii) — commonly known as the Bread Palm or Eastern Cape Giant Cycad
Bread Palm (Encephalartos Altensteinii) — Cold-tolerant to around 20-25&deg;F, it's an impressive, slow-growing specimen for warm regions
Bread Palm (Encephalartos Altensteinii) — It thrives in well-drained soil, preferring full to partial sun exposure
Bread Palm (Encephalartos Altensteinii) — Its striking foliage adds a tropical flair to landscapes
Bread Palm (Encephalartos Altensteinii) — It pairs well with succulents and other dry-loving plants.<br><br>In your clients garden
Bread Palm (Encephalartos Altensteinii) — <br><br>Periodic maintenance is required to remove old foliage and to maintain its tidy appearance
Bread Palm (Encephalartos Altensteinii) — Although it is generally pest-free, watch for scale insects and treat as necessary
Bread Palm (Encephalartos Altensteinii) — When designing a landscape
Bread Palm (Encephalartos Altensteinii) — often praised for its sculptural form and longevity; which can grow to 2 feet in diameter, image 55
Bread Palm (Encephalartos Altensteinii) — arching blue-green leaves stretching up to 6 feet long.<br><br>This prehistoric species; its striking, image 54
Bread Palm (Encephalartos Altensteinii) — supports a crown of attractive; <br><br>Periodic maintenance is required to remove old foliage and to, image 53
Bread Palm (Encephalartos Altensteinii) — which can grow to 2 feet in diameter; supports a crown of attractive, image 52

Related plants