Origin and Habitat: Encephalartos middelburgensis is confined in the upper catchment area of the Olifants River,Witbank and Middelburg districts, which include the Wilge and Klein Olifants Rivers, in the provinces of Gauteng and Mpumalanga of South Africa (formerly Northern Transvaal). Estimated area of occupancy 20 sqkm. The population is small and thought to number only 120 mature individuals occurring in the wild.
Altitude range: 3,610-4,590 ft (1,100-1,400 m) above sea level.
Habitat and Ecology: This species occurs in open grassland and on steep rocky slopes in sheltered valleys on slightly acidic soils in full sunlight. The climate in the area is hot in summer and cold in winter, and the plants probably experiences winter frost. The rainfall in its distribution area is around 24 in (600 mm) per annum and occurs predominantly in summer. At type locality it occurs close to Encephalartos lanatus. Encephalartos species are pollinated by insects and wind in the wild. The fleshy outer covering layer of the seeds is desirable food to a range of animals such as monkeys, birds, rodents and bats. Therefore, with any luck, the seeds are discarded some distance away from the parent plant in a hospitable environment in which they are likely to germinate. E. middelburgensis has declined continuously over at least the past 40 years and populations are still declining due to illegal collector pressure. Subpopulations have continued to decline due to collecting and some subpopulations are also impacted by disease. The development of semi-intensive agricultural must have had a tremendous effect on the stability of the taxon, especially with the increased burning of the habitat and grazing practices. The taxon is extremely vulnerable to fire and not stimulated as is the case with Encephalartos lanatus. Generation Length 70 years. Surveys of seed set and pollinator abundance also indicate that several subpopulations are not producing viable seed. Overall population reduction in the past three generations (90 years) exceeds 80%, and is therefore facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild.

Cultivation and Propagation: Encephalartos middelburgensis is an adaptable plant well suited to warm temperate and subtropical climates, and can handle light frosts. With its bright foliage heightened by full sun is a commanding accent plant in the general landscape and makes an excellent tubbed specimen. It can be grown in full sun without its leaves burning. Its color makes it a good subject for the nightscape. Its beauty and ease of horticulture make it one of the finest cycads for use in the garden. It is partially drought tolerant, salt tolerant, and completely wind tolerant. As a garden plant, this cycad will usually hold one or two crowns of leaves, all in good condition. As a seedling, it often loses its previous year's leaves before the new leaves emerge. The seedlings need plenty of room for the tap root to develop and require very good drainage.
Growth rate: It is a long lived slow growing plant taking 15 to 20 years for one of these to produce a cone, so patience is a must.
Soils: It responds well to deep, fertile, slightly acidic, well drained, soil enriched with compost.
Waterings: In cultivation prefers plenty of water, especially in dry weather for optimal growth. But it is eventually drought resistant.
Fertilization: Naturally undemanding for nutrients, it responds very well to regular applications of fertilizer. Growth can be greatly improved through the application of fertilizers. Most growers find that a fertilizer having an even NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium) balance, and supplemental trace elements, provides a good start for cycads.
Exposure: It will grow in partial shade, however best results are obtained growing the seedlings in full sun.
Warning: Seeds are poisonous.
Hardiness: They do best in a tropical or subtropical climate and should be kept totally dry in winter at or around 50°F (10°C) but demonstrate a remarkable degree of cold resistance and may tolerate light frost for short periods if dry, however heavy frosts would probably be fatal.
Propagation: It is easily propagated from seeds and suckers (the young plants that grow around the main stem). Seedlings at the one-leaf stage are susceptible to the fungal disease “damping off” which kills the seedling's single leaf at ground level.