Native plants of the Cape of South Africa
These 21 plants belong to the Cape of South Africa. They were here before the gardens were: they know the weather, live on the rain that falls, and feed the insects and birds that grew up alongside them. Plant a few and your yard starts to fit its place.
Signature plant: Rooibos, native here and in no other world region on this list.
Fruit trees (3)
- Kei apple · zones 9–11
- Waterberry (umdoni) · zones 9–11
- Wild plum (umgwenya) · zones 9–11
Berries and small fruit (1)
- Num-num · zones 9–11
Tropical and subtropical food plants (1)
- Natal plum · zones 9–11
Perennial vegetables, greens and herbs (10)
- Buchu · zones 9–11
- Dune spinach · zones 9–11
- Honeybush · zones 9–11
- Rooibos · zones 9–11
- Rose geranium · zones 9–11
- Society garlic · zones 7–11
- Spekboom · zones 9–11
- Veldkool · zones 9–10
- Waterblommetjie (Cape pondweed) · zones 7–11
- Wild rosemary (kapokbos) · zones 8–10
Native and wild plants (4)
- Forest grape (Cape grape) · zones 9–11
- Kukumakranka · zones 9–10
- Real yellowwood · zones 9–11
- Sugarbush · zones 9–10
Helper plants for soil, wildlife and biomass (2)
- African wormwood (wilde-als) · zones 8–10
- Cape aloe (bitter aloe) · zones 9–11
Open the natives of Cape of South Africa in the planner
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All regions · Plants by hardiness zone
General guidance, not professional advice. Conditions vary by yard and year; for local specifics ask your county extension office. Never eat a wild plant you cannot identify with certainty. Traditional uses are shared as history, not medical advice. © 2026 Sean Priest · Irie Orchard. Terms & credits · Privacy · Home