South Africa is home to some of the most fascinating plants that are beautiful and unique. There are more than 230 plant families with 22 000 indigenous seed plants. More interestingly, South Africa is home to the world’s 10% flowering Species.
If you were to travel around South Africa, you would find a large diversity of plants that come in all sorts of colors, shapes and sizes. It is also known for bringing great diversity to the globe as plants attract other animals and provide them with a natural habitat.
In South African culture, plants play a pivotal role in medicine by traditional people. Historically, indigenous folk went from area to area to learn which plants were poisonous and which ones they could cure disease or eat.
If you are interested in growing plants at home originating from South Africa, then we have just the list for you. These unique plants are some of the best choices if you want to include more plants in your space.
Spider Plant
Spider Plant
The Spider plant has only gained popularity recently in the 19th century. Now this plant is wanted by plant enthusiasts all over the world. It can be a very beautiful addition to your space, and more importantly, it is a great solution to purify your air. The spider plant is popular as an air purifier and can remove 90% of toxins from the air in your home.
The plant is named ‘Spider Plant’ because of its close resemblance to a spider’s body. The pup and the leaves of the plant look like a spider. You can find different types of spider plants, but the common choice is the Airplane Plant, as it has streaked green leaves that add more beauty to your home.
For those planning to keep the spider plant at home, you do not have to worry about its care as it is a low-maintenance plant. Just make sure that you give it adequate care.
Cylindrical Orange Bird of Paradise
Cylindrical Orange Bird Of Paradise
The Cylindrical Orange Bird of Paradise is one of the rarest South African plants. The plant gets its name because of its shape, as it has very small leaves and features a cylindrical shape. If you are a big fan of flowers, you will love this plant as when in bloom, it will produce bird-shaped flowers in either blue or orange.
The stems are silvery, which makes the flowers pop out. If the theme of your home is minimalistic, then you must try to incorporate these plants in your space. This is because the plant is upright, and the foliage is shaped like arrows which will blend in with the aesthetic of your space.
The best part is that the plant will only occupy a little space, and you can easily keep it wherever you want in your home. Since the plant is drought-tolerant and resistant to extreme weather conditions, it is a great choice for those who want easy-to-grow plants. Keep up with its standard care, and you will be ready.
Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Hahnii Black Gold’
Scientific Name: Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Hahnii Black Gold’
Common Names: Hahnii Black Gold Snake Plant
Overview: The Sansevieria trifasciata ‘Hahnii Black Gold’ is a sophisticated botanical masterpiece, characterized by its rosette of short, dark green leaves, boldly edged in radiant gold. This compact, elegant variant of the Snake Plant presents a rich, visual texture, bringing a refined aesthetic to any space it inhabits. Its origin traces back to tropical West Africa, symbolizing strength and prosperity, and its resilience is reflective of the robust environments it hails from. The ‘Hahnii Black Gold’ is adaptable, thriving in a range of light conditions and requiring minimal water, making it an ideal companion for those seeking low-maintenance elegance.
Snake Plant
Native to South Africa, the snake plant enjoys the full sun and partial shade. But the best feature of this plant is that you can keep it indoors and outdoors. The plant is scientifically known as Sansevieria Trifasciata, and ‘trifasciata’ is named after tree lines running along the leaves.
You can find many species of Snake Plants, such as Whitney and Zeylanica. If you want to start keeping plants at home, you can start with the Snake Plant, which is very friendly. Even if you have a tough schedule, you can still care for it. The drought-tolerant plant can survive in low humidity, so you don’t have to worry about neglecting it.
All you need to ensure is that the plant gets proper drainage as it retains water, and if it does not drain well, the water may end up damaging it.
Giant Milkweed
Giant Milkweed
Also known as Calptropis Gigantea, Giant Milkweed grows best in tropical regions and loves the sun! Do you often forget to drink water yourself and worry about what you may end up doing to your plant? Giant Milkweed is the perfect plant for you.
If you provide this plant with the best conditions, it can grow up to 15 feet. However, if you do not have the space or want to keep it small, you can trim it how you like. The plant produces waxy purple-colored flowers. You can also find these flowers in white, and they are often used for floral arrangements as they are long-lasting.
Other than its aesthetic appeal, the plant is also used for other purposes, such as hypoglycemic ingredients. The fibers from this plant are also used in the making of nets, stuffing and rope. In other cases, since the plant can be toxic, it has been used as an arrow poison. Historically, it has also been used to treat diseases such as arthritis, asthma, liver problems and even cancer.
The Giant Milkweed plant attracts insects such as butterflies, and that can add more aesthetic value to your space.
ZZ Plant – Natural Form
ZZ Plant
Do you need an indoor plant that will give you no trouble? The ZZ Plant is all you need. This plant is drought tolerant, and even if you forget to water it for a long time, it will not complain. Moreover, this South African plant is also tolerant of low light, so you can easily keep it anywhere in your home without any worries.
Plant parents can find different color variations, and one of the most popular colors is purple-maroon foliage. You can also get bright colors such as yellow and white. If you plan to add plants to your space and increase its aesthetic value, then it is a good idea to keep the ZZ plant in your favorite place.
These plants represent South Africa. The colors and shapes are unique and can completely lift up your space!
