Encephalartos longifolius 'Joubertina Blue'

Encephalartos longifolius 'Joubertina Blue' is a named form of Thunberg's cycad associated with Joubertina in the Eastern Cape. It combines the long-leaved cycad silhouette of E. longifolius with a distinctive horticultural selection name that should remain attached to the plant. ## Form and species [Operation Wildflower](https://operationwildflower.net/index.php/most-viewed/1109-encephalartos-longifolius-1109) identifies the commonly called Joubertina blue form as a rare form of E. longifolius. The [PlantZAfrica profile from SANBI](https://pza.sanbi.org/encephalartos-longifolius) describes the species as having mostly erect stems, glossy dark-green leaves 1–2 m long, and crowns whose leaf tips curve downward. Its Eastern Cape range spans rocky slopes, ravines, scrub, grassland, fynbos, thicket, and forest habitats. The exact horticultural label is also used in current nursery listings, including [Fairview Nursery](https://fairviewnursery.com/plants/cycads/) and [Palm Island Nursery](https://palmislandnursery.com/1234-2/). ## Siting Grow in full sun or morning or afternoon semi-shade. The species is listed as a good pot plant; choose a large container and a freely draining mix if growing it in a pot. ## Maintenance Keep water moving through the root zone and protect the crown from damage. Remove fully dead leaves only, and preserve the Joubertina Blue label when sharing or acquiring plants.