This cycad tolerates full shade but will grow faster in part day sun in a fairly well drained soils and thrives in sandy soils. It is very drought tolerant and is a good under canopy plant for the dry shade of California Live Oak. Listed by South African sources as a frost tender species but we have had plants in our garden weather high teens to low 20°'s F for short durations without damage. The leaves of this cycad are particularly thick and sharp tipped so placement away from pathways us recommended.

In its native habit its range extends into northern Natal along the coast usually growing in sand under the forest canopy or even in low undergrowth on sand dunes. The name for the genus comes from Greek words 'en' meaning "within", 'kephali' meaning "head" and 'artos' meaning "bread" or "bread in head" which is a reference to the use of the starchy substance in the trunks of some species in times of desperation by African native tribes. The specific epithet is the Latin word for "fierce" or "bold" in reference to the rugged spiney leaflets. 

The information displayed on this page about Encephalartos ferox is based on our research conducted about this plant from books in our nursery library as well as from information that is provided by reliable online resources. We also have included our own observations made about it as it grew in the nursery gardens and other gardens visited, as well how the crops of this plant performed in the containers when we had them in our nursery field. We also include comments received from others and welcome hearing from anyone who has information about this plant, particularly if it includes cultural information aiding others to better grow it.