Skip to content
Log inStart trial

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 5–11Type PalmClimate Subtropical
Bread Palm (Encephalartos Altensteinii) — making it ideal for xeriscaping or regions with water restrictions; the Bread Palm is drought-tolerant, image 169

Culture

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

Shape & size

Classification

Type
Palm
Family
Zamiaceae
Climate
Subtropical

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

Start your 14-day trial

Photos (186)

Bread Palm (Encephalartos Altensteinii) — When designing a landscape
Bread Palm (Encephalartos Altensteinii) — the Bread Palm can serve as a focal point or be grouped for a lush; adds a dramatic and exotic touch to, image 175
Bread Palm (Encephalartos Altensteinii) — It pairs well with succulents and other dry-loving plants.<br><br>In your clients garden; is an, image 86
Bread Palm (Encephalartos Altensteinii) — arching blue-green leaves stretching up to 6 feet long.<br><br>This prehistoric species; its striking, image 142
Bread Palm (Encephalartos Altensteinii) — palm for half or shade; consider its eventual size and incorporate sufficient space to accommodate its, image 154
Bread Palm (Encephalartos Altensteinii) — The Bread Palm is drought-tolerant once established; but can soar up to 15 feet when given ample time and, image 80
Bread Palm (Encephalartos Altensteinii) — When designing a landscape; it thrives in USDA hardiness zones 9 to 11 and prefers full sun to light, image 62
Bread Palm (Encephalartos Altensteinii) — making it ideal for xeriscaping or regions with water restrictions; the Bread Palm is drought-tolerant, image 147
Bread Palm (Encephalartos Altensteinii) — commonly known as the Bread Palm or Eastern Cape Giant Cycad
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; palm
Bread Palm (Encephalartos Altensteinii) — commonly known as the Bread Palm or Eastern Cape Giant Cycad; cold-tolerant to around 20-25&deg;F, it's an, image 136
Bread Palm (Encephalartos Altensteinii) — consider its eventual size and incorporate sufficient space to accommodate its wide leaf spread; it pairs, image 85
Bread Palm (Encephalartos Altensteinii) — The Bread Palm is drought-tolerant once established; but can soar up to 15 feet when given ample time and, image 58
Bread Palm (Encephalartos Altensteinii) — is an impressive and striking addition to any landscape; arching blue-green leaves stretching up to 6 feet
Bread Palm (Encephalartos Altensteinii) — It thrives in well-drained soil, preferring full to partial sun exposure; often praised for its sculptural form and
Bread Palm (Encephalartos Altensteinii) — commonly known as the Bread Palm or Eastern Cape Giant Cycad; cold-tolerant to around 20-25&deg;F, it's an, image 92
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 pairs well with succulents and other dry-loving plants.<br><br>In your clients garden; is an impressive and
Bread Palm (Encephalartos Altensteinii) — adds a dramatic and exotic touch to gardens; making it ideal for xeriscaping or regions with water, image 144
Bread Palm (Encephalartos Altensteinii) — It thrives in USDA hardiness zones 9 to 11 and prefers full sun to light shade, along with well-drained, image 57
Bread Palm (Encephalartos Altensteinii) — is an impressive and striking addition to any landscape; arching blue-green leaves stretching up to 6 feet, image 93
Bread Palm (Encephalartos Altensteinii) — which can grow to 2 feet in diameter; supports a crown of attractive, image 184
Bread Palm (Encephalartos Altensteinii) — Although it is generally pest-free, watch for scale insects and treat as necessary; this slow-growing, image 105
Bread Palm (Encephalartos Altensteinii) — is an impressive and striking addition to any landscape; arching blue-green leaves stretching up to 6 feet, image 71
Photographs by 9 contributors

Related plants

Bamboo Cycad (Ceratozamia Hildae) — commonly known as the Bamboo Cycad; is a strikingly elegant plant native to the limestone forests of Mexico

Palm

Bamboo Cycad

Ceratozamia Hildae

ShadeUSDA 10–11
Cardboard Palm (Zamia Furfuracea) — Its resilience and moderate size; while it prospers in partial shade to full sunlight, image 63

Palm

Cardboard Palm

Zamia Furfuracea

FullUSDA 9–10
Chestnut Dioon (Dioon Edule) — Note that all parts of the plant are toxic if ingested

Palm

Chestnut Dioon

Dioon Edule

HalfUSDA 10–11
Coontie (Zamia Pumila) — reaching 1-3 feet in height with a similar spread

Palm

Coontie

Zamia Pumila

FullUSDA 7–10
Giant Dioon (Dioon Spinulosum) — an impressive species of cycad native to Eastern Mexico

Palm

Giant Dioon

Dioon Spinulosum

HalfUSDA 9–11
Karoo Cycad (Encephalartos Lehmannii) — is a prehistoric and architecturally striking plant native to the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa

Palm

Karoo Cycad

Encephalartos Lehmannii

HalfUSDA 10–11