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Species library › Zamia › Zamia encephalartoides
Other Partly documented

Zamia encephalartoides

A rare, endangered tree-like Zamia from the dry Chicamocha canyon in Santander, Colombia, with an upright trunk up to 2 m and prickle-free leaves. Unusually for the genus, it grows in xeric scrub and sparse dry forest, so it wants hot, bright, well-drained conditions rather than rainforest shade.

At home, aim for
Day Warm-growingTargets in Plantistry
Night Close to the dayTargets in Plantistry
Humidity Dry airBand in Plantistry
Light Bright, filtered lightDLI and PPFD in Plantistry
No rest periodGrows in the ground

Where it grows wild

It is known from two populations. One grows in the understory of a sparse mesic forest receiving about 1,000 mm of rain a year, and the other in open xeric scrub with no canopy. Both are on slopes of the Chicamocha and Umpala river valleys.

Recorded at 600–925 m, with a median around 720 m.

Colombia (Santander)

🔒 Growing it like that

The wild conditions above, turned into targets for a shelf, a tent or a greenhouse. The full profile has:

✓ Day and night temperature targets, and the limits it tolerates
✓ Humidity band, and how to hold it
✓ Light as DLI and PPFD for a grow light
✓ Wet and dry seasons, and whether to rest it
✓ Substrate and airflow
✓ A step-by-step setup to grow it like the wild

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Profiles are drafts built from measured range and climate and from published sources; each section carries its own confidence in the app.