Wild rosemary (kapokbos)

Eriocephalus africanus

Grey, wind-proof and rosemary-scented; after flowering it covers itself in cotton fluff that birds steal for nests.

Type: shrub · perennial vegetables, greens and herbs
Hardiness: zones 8 to 10
Light: full sun
Size: about 3 ft tall, 3 ft wide
Harvest: year-round
From: Western and Eastern Cape, South Africa
Drought-hardy once established
Here: Too tender to overwinter outdoors on the Lake Erie shore (zone 6b to 7a): grow it in a pot and bring it in, or treat it as an annual.

Good for: food, pollinators, traditional use.

Native to: Cape of South Africa. Hardy in zones 8 to 10.

The story

Wild rosemary is no relation to the Mediterranean herb; it is a daisy. Its Afrikaans name, kapokbos, means snow bush, for the white fluff that covers it in seed. It has a long history as a household herb in the Cape.

Planting

Full sun and well-drained soil. It takes wind, salt spray and drought.

Growing

Trim lightly after flowering to keep it dense. No fertilizer and no summer water.

Harvest and use

Use sprigs as you would rosemary with lamb, potatoes and stews. White winter flowers with purple centers feed bees.

What to watch for

Wet soil and humid summers.

Safety

Medicinal uses here are shared as history, not advice. Kitchen amounts are fine for most people, but teas, tinctures and supplements can interact with medicines and aren't safe for everyone, especially in pregnancy, while breastfeeding, for children, or with liver or kidney problems. Ask a doctor or pharmacist before taking any plant as medicine.

See if Wild rosemary (kapokbos) fits your yard
Free planner: enter your ZIP for frost dates, climate fit and a sowing calendar. No account, no ads, no tracking cookies.

More perennial vegetables, greens and herbs

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