Welcome to Gardening in South Africa!

Jatropha integerrima 'Compacta' Picture courtesy Green Acres Nursery CaliforniaThis shrub is no longer freely available in South Africa, but I have left it here for identification purposes.

Jatropha is a succulent shrub or small tree from the West Indies . It is spectacular when in bloom and has attractive evergreen, glossy green leaves. Star shaped bright scarlet or vermilion flowers appear during spring, summer and autumn.

In the tropics it can grow into a small tree up to 4m tall but in the garden it will grow between 2 to 3m tall and can spread as wide. Jatropha grows several slender trunks but it can be pruned into a single trunk to prevent it spreading so wide.

Use it as an accent plant in the mixed shrub border. It grows easily in containers but resents disturbance so try not to re-pot unless it is absolutely necessary. More compact growing varieties are available.

Jatropha integerrima 'Compacta' Picture courtesy Green Acres Nursery CaliforniaesnurseryJatropha is tender to frost and grows best in the warm, moist, sub-tropical regions of South Africa.  It will grow in full sun or light shade and tolerates a wide variety of soils, as long as they are well-drained. Water regularly during dry spells but do not overwater.

The plant blooms on the current year's growth so it can be pruned at any time of the year.

Propagate from cuttings taken in early spring.

WARNING: Jatropha belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family and contains a milky sap that can irritate sensitive skin. All parts of the plant are reported to be poisonous if ingested.

Heliconia rostrata Image by William Pomares from PixabayCondensed Version:

Heliconias bloom all summer long and their brightly coloured waxy bracts which can be either upright or pendulous, ranging from orange to red and yellow, pink and even green, or a combination of these, often tipped with a bright gold splash. The small true flowers peep out from the bracts, and depending on the species, can be hues of reds, oranges, yellows, and greens.

These perennial plants will arise every year from the rhizomes, with new stems developing after the old plant has finished flowering, creating a continuous display of flowers over the years. The various species vary greatly in height, from +-15cm to over 6m tall.

Ideal growing conditions are humid and warm, and in cold regions they can only be grown in heated glass-houses. In the garden amend the soil with good quality compost enriched with dry leaf matter and a dressing of bone meal, and if your soil does not drain well washed river sand can be incorporated. Slightly acidic soil is best as plants grown in alkaline soil may exhibit iron deficiency in the form of yellowing to white leaves. Potted plants will do well in a mixture of equal parts potting soil, fine wood mulch, and peat moss. The soil should never be allowed to dry out completely.

In the garden they can be grown in full sun or semi-shade locations, but ensure that they receive sufficient sunshine to bloom well. Most species require at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day, or full morning sun to flower profusely.

Fertilise in spring, and every two months thereafter until autumn using bone meal and a balanced slow release fertiliser. Mulch around their roots regularly, and to keep the clumps neat it is necessary to remove the spent flowering stems regularly by chopping them off close to the ground.

Heliconia 'Red Iris' Picture courtesy PixabayFull Version:

Description, History & Interesting Facts:

Tropical gardeners are lucky to get some of the most fascinating flowering plants to grow, and Heliconias, also commonly called Lobster Claws, Parrot Flowers, and False Bird-of-paradise, are one of them, and sure to command attention all summer long. Learn how to grow them successfully below.

Heliconias, with their brightly coloured waxy bracts which can be either upright or pendulous, and the flower bracts range from orange to red and yellow, pink and even green, or a combination of these, often tipped with a bright gold splash. The small true flowers peep out from the bracts, and depending on the species, can be hues of reds, oranges, yellows, and greens. Flowers do not appear until this perennial is two years old. The purplish-blue fruits are primarily dispersed by birds.

The various species vary greatly in height, from +-15cm to over 6m tall, and they are all herbaceous or non-woody plants that spread by rhizomes, with each stem only flowering once, before drying up and collapsing. The growth habit and leaves of heliconias are very similar to gingers, cannas, strelitzias, and bananas, to which they are related, with large leaves and flowers that immediately remind you of a tropical paradise. The common name false bird-of-paradise refers to their close similarity to the bird-of-paradise flowers (Strelitzia).

Heliconia is a single genus with approximately 350 species, mainly from Central and South America. A small group of about 6 species have evolved separately in the South Pacific, and these are typically characterized by having green inflorescences. In the wild they can be found growing in humid tropical rainforests, in clearings in the forest floor where the sunlight can penetrate, and along river banks. Forest hummingbirds and butterflies like to drink the sweet nectar from the flowers; and the Honduran White Bat lives in tents it makes from the leaves.

Uses:

Some species of heliconia last well in a vase and are grown commercially for the florist's trade.

Heliconia psittacorum' Pink and Orange' Image by virginie l from PixabayIn the Garden:

Heliconias form the centrepiece of so many tropical landscapes all around the world, and a single well-established colony immediately adds a sense of elegance and class to any garden large or small. Smaller growing cultivars will thrive in pots, rewarding the grower with an unending supply of magnificent blooms.

Cultivation:

Ideal growing conditions are humid and warm, similar to a tropical rainforest, and in South Africa heliconias grow best in humid sub-tropical regions like Kwa-Zulu Natal. In cold regions they can only be grown in heated glass-houses. Understanding the native growing conditions of Heliconia should aid in providing the appropriate conditions for growing them.

In the rainforests they thrive in the leaf litter of the forest floor where the soil is moist yet well-drained, and very rich in decaying organic material. In the garden good quality compost enriched with dry leaf matter and a dressing of bone meal would be ideal. If your soil does not drain well washed river sand can be incorporated. Slightly acidic soil is best as plants grown in alkaline soil may exhibit iron deficiency in the form of yellowing to white leaves. Potted plants will do well in a mixture of equal parts potting soil, fine wood mulch, and peat moss.

These perennial plants will arise every year from the rhizomes, with new stems developing after the old plant has finished flowering, creating a continuous display of flowers over the years.

In the garden they can be grown in full sun or semi-shade locations, but ensure that they receive sufficient sunshine to bloom well. In nature they make large colonies in bright clearings in the forest and most species require at least 6 hours of direct sunlight a day, or full morning sun to flower profusely. Plants grown in too much shade usually grow taller, with lush foliage and fewer flowers. Heliconia pendula and Heliconia stricta 'Carli's Sharonii' are two exceptions who enjoy shade. 

Established clumps thrive on frequent tropical showers, and in the garden the soil should never be allowed to dry out completely. Some species such as Heliconia standleyi and Heliconia densiflora 'Fireflash' can even adapt to growing completely in water.

To flower profusely heliconias need fertilising in spring, and every two months thereafter until autumn using bone meal and a balanced slow release fertiliser. Mulch around their roots regularly, and to keep the clumps neat it is necessary to remove the spent flowering stems regularly by chopping them off close to the ground.

Heliconia carabea purpurea Image by ASSY from PixabayPropagation:

Because the plants grow and propagate from underground rhizomes, if you already have them in your garden or wish to take a piece from a friend, this is easily done by carefully removing a small piece to start a new plant.

Heliconia are often sold commercially in the form of rhizome segments, and these should be dipped in a diluted fungicide solution before being planted in free-draining soil. A mixture of perlite, vermiculite, and sterilised potting soil is ideal.

Make sure that the rhizome is not planted too deep, but at the same level at which the plant was originally growing in soil. The planting depth can be determined by markings on the rhizome itself. After planting, the tip of the stalks where the pseudostems (A false stem made of the rolled bases of leaves) were cut from should be wrapped in plastic and secured with a rubber band. This helps to seal moisture within the rhizome and ensures that water does not enter the stems and cause rotting.

Seeds can be difficult, with a long germination period, so follow the instructions below. Because the seed coat is thick, before planting the seeds should be scarified with sandpaper till the endosperm is just reached. This allows water to enter the seed more quickly, thus shortening the germination period.

The seed requires soaking for two to three days in water and should be sown 2 to 5mm deep in well-drained damp seedling compost. Keep well-watered and at a temperature of 30°C until germination occurs after a couple of months. Once germinated, to get them growing strongly, the seedlings will need a temperature of 30°C by day and 18 to 22°C by night, combined with good sunlight.

Heliconia latispata 'Orange Giro' Image courtesy PixabayProblems, Pests & Diseases:

If cultivated correctly in the garden heliconias do not suffer from many pests or diseases

The leaves, roots, and rhizomes of these plants are prey to several plant diseases. Heliconia leaf diseases, in particular, are very common but rarely do lasting harm.

Curling leaves are often caused by a variety of fungi. There are many fungal diseases that cause leaf spots, yellowed edges, curled and distorted leaves, and dropped leaves once the disease has advanced. Most of these are soil borne and can be avoided by watering under the leaves and avoiding water splash. Use fungicides to combat these diseases.

The bacterial wilt caused by Pseudomonas solanacearum also causes heliconia leaf curling and wilting as well as a condition called “firing”, where the leaf edges turn brown. It is very contagious and in areas where it has affected plants the bacteria will remain in the soil, so further planting is not recommended.

Since heliconia are started from rhizome fragments, unhealthy pieces can harbour disease. Always inspect rhizomes before purchasing and planting.

Many fungi cause diseases on the rhizomes, causing rots of varying degrees. A few fungi organisms cause rot within the first few months while others take several years for disease symptoms to appear. In all cases, the plant declines and eventually dies. It is hard to diagnose the cause unless you dig up the plant, exposing the roots and rhizomes to scrutiny. You can prevent such diseases by washing rhizomes prior to planting in a 10% solution of bleach to water.

Root nematodes live in soil and feed on the roots of many species of plants, but are too small to be seen by the naked eye. Several of these tiny roundworms cause heliconia plant diseases. Roots become swollen and develop lesions and knots. This results in nutrient and water uptake interruption leading to yellow leaves, curling, wilting, and overall poor plant health. A hot water bath is the current suggested prevention. Dip rhizomes in hot water 50°C for 15 minutes and then immediately dunk into a cold-water bath. In commercial production, soil fumigation is used but there are no products listed for the home gardener.

The most common pest is the mealy bug, found on the underside of the leaf.  It can also attack the flower bracts.

Warning:

We did not find Heliconia listed and poisonous but did find some references to it being listed as mildly toxic to cats. Also, be advised that the consumption of any plant material may cause vomiting and gastrointestinal upset for dogs and cats.

It is also always advisable to supervise small children at all times in the garden.

An allergy caused by plants is another important aspect every gardener should know, and Heliconia allergy is toxic and can cause a serious reaction.

Chamelaucium uncinatum 'White' Picture courtesy Madibri NurseryThe Geraldton Wax plant used to be a popular garden plant in South Africa, but sadly it is no longer very easy to find. At the time of writing this article, it is grown by Madibri Nursery who supplies garden centres. Click here to find their distributors.

It can still be found in old established gardens, so for identification purposes I have left it in my plant index. If you do find them growing and wish to propagate, cuttings of firm, current seasons growth will usually strike readily. Seeds are available online, but propagation from seed can be tricky.

Condensed Version:

When in full bloom in spring and early summer the geraldton wax plant looks like a billowing cloud of cotton candy as the branches sway in the breeze. The needle-thin leaves can be bright to dark-green, depending on the season, and contrast beautifully in texture and colour with the shiny berry-like buds arranged in open sprays along the ends of the stems, and the lush clusters of waxy, star-shaped flowers.

The naturally occurring pink or white flowered geraldton wax plant grows quickly into a lovely rounded shape, and is generally clipped into a thick shrub, but if left largely unpruned, the older varieties can reach heights of +- 2.5m with spread of 2m.

Today the geraldton wax plant is available in colours that range from white to various shades of pink, mauve and wine; sometimes with all the colours on one bush. And, while the traditional form blooms in winter and spring, there are now several hybrids from which to select which will extend the blooming time into early summer. Recently released cultivars are even frost hardy down to -2°C, and delightful new dwarf forms grow beautifully in containers, making them suitable for even the smallest gardens.

The geraldton wax plant thrives in a semi-arid climate with hot, dry summers and mild winters.  Therefore, the plant is easy to grow in a Mediterranean climate, and it thrives in the south and south-western Cape, and other mild, frost free regions of South Africa, like the KwaZulu-Natal mist belt.  It will tolerate light frost inland if it is planted in a warm, protected position in the garden, and protected until established. The shrub does not tolerate high humidity or overly wet summer conditions.

Full sun is essential for good flowering, and although this shrub prefers sandy, very well-drained soils, be they acid, neutral or alkaline, for quick establishment in very poor soils, amend the soil with plenty of organic matter and till to a depth of about 25cm. If your soil does not have perfect drainage, add sand or other gritty material to enhance percolation, or grow the plant in a raised bed, or container.

Young plants will need supplemental irrigation as they establish, and although mature plants can withstand fairly long periods of drought, in the garden they will respond well to intermittent watering in the heat of summer. Avoid overwatering as this can cause root rot.

Because its native soil is so low in nutrients, feeding with commercial fertilisers might actually harm the plant, so only use organic mulch around the roots, and apply a light dressing of bone meal in spring. This mulch will slowly release needed nutrients, as well as protect the root zone from cold, and help prevent weeds from growing. Never dig around the roots of this plant as they resent soil disturbance.

An annual pruning when the plant has finished flowering forces tighter, more compact shrubs and helps to keep the centre of the plant open for light and air.

Geraldton wax plant Kings Park, Perth, Western Australia. Picture courtesy Dr Mary Gillham Archive Project - see her flickr pageFull Version:

Description, History & Interesting Facts:

When in full bloom the geraldton wax plant looks like a billowing cloud of cotton candy as the branches sway in the breeze. The needle-thin leaves can be bright to dark-green, depending on the season, and contrast beautifully in texture and colour with the shiny berry-like buds arranged in open sprays along the ends of the stems, and the lush clusters of waxy, star-shaped flowers. If you crush the leaves, they emit a pleasant lemony scent, and the flowers have a sweet, honey fragrance, oozing nectar and attracting butterflies, bees, and other pollinating insects; particularly on warm, late winter or spring days.

The naturally occurring pink or white flowered geraldton wax plant grows quickly into a lovely rounded shape, and is generally clipped into a thick shrub, but if left largely unpruned, the older varieties can reach heights of +- 2.5m with spread of 2m. This hardy shrub has come a long way over the past decade, thanks to improved breeding and hybridisation the geraldton wax plant is extremely popular, and available in colours that range from white to various shades of pink, mauve and wine; sometimes with all the colours on one bush. And, while the traditional form blooms in winter and spring, there are now several hybrids from which to select which will extend the blooming time into early summer. Recently released cultivars are even frost hardy down to -2°C, and delightful new dwarf forms grow beautifully in containers, making them suitable for even the smallest gardens.

This gorgeous evergreen belongs to the Myrtle family which contains about 150 genera and 3,300 species of trees and shrubs, notably the Australian tea tree (Leptoscpermum laevigatum), New Zealand tea tree (Leptospermum scoparium), bottlebrush (Callistemon spp.),  and Melaleuca species. Its members are widely distributed in the tropics and characteristically feature leathery leaves with oil glands. Several, like allspice and clove, are useful as spices, and a number of species are economically important for their timber.

Chamelaucium is a genus of about 30 species, all occurring only in south-western Australia, and the gerladton wax plant is endemic to the Shark Bay region of extreme Western Australia, growing wild nowhere else in the world.  It can be found in coastal areas, the edges of swamps, hillsides and plains, thriving in white, grey or yellow sand, over limestone, laterite. Laterite is a clayey soil horizon rich in iron and aluminium oxides, formed by weathering of igneous rocks in moist warm climates. In the wild it varies greatly in height from 50cm to 4m tall, and the immature branches are a smooth greyish-brown, becoming rougher with age. The young twigs can be slightly reddish and are a particularly pretty contrast to the flowers.

Modern hybrids include:

'Chantilly Lace' (Chamelaucium uncinatum hybrid) is a very prolific flowering variety with masses of buds, opening into dense clusters of pure white blooms with beautiful frilly edges and lime green centres.

'Dancing Queen' (Chamelaucium uncinatum hybrid) is a unique double variety featuring an abundance of blooms, ranging from soft baby pink through to vibrant candy-pink.

'Moonlight Delight' PBR (Chamelaucium megalopetalum hybrid) produces masses of red buds in mid-winter, followed by an abundance of white blooms with dark crimson centres in early spring.

'My Sweet 16' (Chamelaucium uncinatum hybrid) has pure white flowers are borne in early spring. The flowers mature to a rich crimson colour, giving the plant a stunning bi-colour appearance of crimson, white and all shades in-between.

'Purple Pride' (Chamelaucium uncinatum hybrid) produces unique purple blooms that mature to a beautiful dark magenta.

'Raspberry Ripple' PBR (Chamelaucium uncinatum hybrid) is a beautiful screening plant, which produces masses of dark pink-crimson blooms on thin stems.

'Sarah's Delight' PBR (Chamelaucium uncinatum hybrid) is a tall shrub which produces masses of bright pink flowers with dark crimson centres during late winter and early spring.

'Strawberry Surprise' PBR (Chamelaucium uncinatum hybrid) has stunning pink flowers, which feature a frilly petal formation, and are borne profusely in spring.

Picture courtesy Elizabeth Donoghue - see her flickr pageUses:

The geraldton wax plant is one of Australia's most famous wildflowers and all the rage in the cut flower industry throughout the world because the blooms last extremely well in the vase. It was popular in California as far back as the 1940’s, and was introduced into Israel in the 1970’s. Today it is widely grown in many countries, including South Africa, Chile and Peru.

In the Garden:

As part of the xeriscape or drought tolerant garden, the geraldton waxplant can’t be beat for its consistent bloom, ease of care, and tolerant nature.  It is one of those “plant it and forget it” shrubs, and because it has minimal pest and disease issues, low food and moisture needs, and only requires light pruning, is the perfect low maintenance and water-wise shrub for busy gardeners.

It is well worth growing as a screen or wind break, and will add value to any mixed shrub border, providing colour during the bleakest time of the year when very little is in bloom. The geraldton wax plant is also a must-have for picking gardens.  

The sweet fragrance of the flowers and their rich nectar attract butterflies, bees, and other pollinating insects, providing valuable sustenance when food is scarce. On warm, late winter or spring days, spend time outdoors in the sunshine, clipping some stems for the vase and just inhaling their lovely fragrance – geraldton wax plants are a sure promise that spring is on the way.  

Picture courtesy Ross Funnell - see her flickr pageCultivation/Propagation:

The healthiest plants are produced by mimicking the plants growing conditions in its native Australia. Shark Bay has a semi-arid climate with hot, dry summers and mild winters - the soils are sandy and moisture is sparse, except during the rainy winter season. Therefore, the plant is easy to grow in a Mediterranean climate, and it thrives in the south and south-western Cape, and other mild, frost free regions of South Africa like the KwaZulu-Natal mist belt. It will tolerate light frost inland if it is planted in a warm, protected position in the garden, and protected until established. The shrub does not tolerate high humidity or overly wet summer conditions.

Full sun is essential for good flowering, and although this shrub prefers sandy, very well-drained soils, be they acid, neutral or alkaline, for quick establishment in very poor soils, amend the soil with plenty of organic matter and till to a depth of about 25cm. If your soil does not have perfect drainage, add sand or other gritty material to enhance percolation, or grow the plant in a raised bed, or containers.

Young plants will need supplemental irrigation as they establish, and although mature plants can withstand fairly long periods of drought, in the garden they will respond well to intermittent watering in the heat of summer. Avoid overwatering as this can cause root rot.

Because its native soil is so low in nutrients, feeding with commercial fertilisers might actually harm the plant, so only use organic mulch around the roots, and apply a light dressing of bone meal in spring. This mulch will slowly release needed nutrients, as well as protect the root zone from cold, and help prevent weeds from growing. Never dig around the roots of this plant as they resent soil disturbance.

An annual pruning when the plant has finished flowering forces tighter, more compact shrubs and helps to keep the centre of the plant open for light and air. Although the geraldton wax plant can take quite harsh pruning, just cutting back the stems by one third will encourage new shoots, which bear the next season’s blooms.

Propagation from seed is difficult but cuttings of firm, current seasons growth will usually strike readily

Garaldton Wax Flower. Picture courtesy Green Acres Nursery CaliforniaProblems, Pests & Diseases:

If grown correctly the geraldton wax plant does not suffer from any serious pests or diseases. It is sensitive to root rot fungus (Phytophora sp.) which is one reason why they can be difficult to grow under humid summer conditions. Other than that, scale is the most likely pest that may occur.

Warning:

We could not find any information on the toxicity of this plant.

In Australia, this species is provisionally classified as schedule 1 under the Sewerage Act. Written approval is required prior to planting it in streets or roads, and it may not be planted closer than two metres to any sewer main or connection.

Forsythia. Picture courtesy Green Acres Nursery CaliforniaThe Forsythia used to be a popular spring flowering garden plant in South Africa, but sadly, it is no longer easy to find. However, because some nurseries may still grow it, and it can still be found in old established gardens, for identification purposes I have left it in my plant index. If you do find it growing and wish to propagate, it is easily grown from cuttings taken from new growth in summer or from hardwood cuttings in autumn and winter. Simple layering is also very effective and rooting should only take a few weeks in summer.

Condensed Version:

The Golden Bell bush is one of the first plants to bloom in spring; producing a profusion of vibrant yellow or pink flowers, depending on the cultivar. It will grow very quickly to about 2m tall 1.5m wide, and loses its leaves in winter, making the blooms even more startling against the bare branches.

The Golden Bell grows best in the summer rainfall regions and is not suited to humid areas. It flowers best if planted in full sun and is hardy to frost.  It will grow on most well-drained soils but prefers alkaline soil and will benefit from a dressing of garden lime occasionally if your soil is a bit acid.  Water deeply but moderately during dry spells; never overwatering. Mulch and feed your plants in late winter with compost and organic 3:1:5, to encourage flowering.

Full Version:

Description, History & Interesting Facts:

The forsythia bush belongs to the Olive family and is native to China. It is one of the first plants to bloom in spring; producing a profusion of vibrant, yellow or pink flowers, depending on the cultivar. The Golden Bell will grow very quickly to about 2m tall 1.5m wide. It loses its leaves in winter, making the blooms even more startling against the bare branches.

In the Garden:

Forsythias are popular in gardens and parks, being prized for being tough, and reliable. They are beautiful landscape shrubs, with an upright and spreading habit that looks lovely in a shrub border. They are excellent heding or screening plants and once established the plants require little or no care.

Cultivation/Propagation:

The Golden Bell grows best in the summer rainfall regions and is not suited to humid areas. It flowers best if planted in full sun and is hardy to frost.  It will grow on most well-drained soils but prefers alkaline soil and will benefit from a dressing of garden lime occasionally if your soil is a bit acid.  Water deeply but moderately during dry spells; never overwatering. Mulch and feed your plants in late winter with compost and organic 3:1:5, to encourage flowering.

This plant can be left to grow naturally without much pruning as it has a wonderful shape. In gardens where it is grown as a screen or hedge, pruning will be required to keep it neat and manageable. Pruning is done after the plant is finished flowering by cutting out about one-third of the old woody growth all the way to the ground to encourage new young growth on which next seasons flowers will grow. Another pruning method is to prune only the tips of the bush, resulting in several new growths developing at that point, making the plant bushier and more prolific in its flowering.

Forsythia is grown from cuttings taken from new growth in summer or from hardwood cuttings in autumn and winter. Simple layering is also very effective and rooting should only take a few weeks in summer.

Problems, Pests & Diseases:

Irregular swelling, so-called 'galls', may be caused by insects, mites, fungi or bacteria. Destroy affected parts. To prevent infection avoid injuring the plants and improve drainage.
Stunted growth, fungal fruiting bodies in autumn and dieback of the plants indicate an infection with honey fungus. Remove affected plants including roots.

Warning:

All parts of the plant are slightly toxic.

Freylinia lanceolata. Picture courtesy David Jones. Visit his flickr photostreamCondensed Version

The yellow honeybell bush is a multi-stemmed evergreen shrub that grows quickly and vigorously. Its lovely arching branches, with their pale grey bark and willow-like green leaves, bear masses of drooping, honey-scented sprays of creamy-yellow flowers at their tips.

It will bloom sporadically throughout the year but its main flowering season will depend on whether it is grown in the winter or summer rainfall regions of South Africa. In the winter rainfall regions, flowering is from late summer (February) through autumn and winter to early spring (August), and sporadically throughout the year. In our summer rainfall regions it may bloom mainly from mid to late winter and spring (June to August), but also sporadically through summer.

It varies in height and spread, depending on climate, rainfall and soil type, but in the garden it reaches anything from 3 to 5m tall with an equal spread, and under optimal conditions it can even reach 6m in height.

In the garden, it is most accommodating, and fares equally well in both our summer and winter rainfall regions. It tolerates heat and temperatures as high as 37°C, as well as moderate frost and temperatures as low as -2°C.

The yellow honeybell enjoys moist conditions and is very fast-growing, if well-watered. It prefers a sunny spot in the garden, but will take some light shade.  It grows easily in ordinary, fertile garden soil. Too look at its best in the garden, it needs to be watered regularly, and especially during dry spells. It also requires regular trimming after flowering to keep it neat.

Full Version:

Description, History & Interesting Facts:

Most gardeners are familiar with our beautiful indigenous Blue Honeybell Bush (Freylinia tropica) but the Yellow Honeybell or Heuningklokkiesbos, (Freylinia lanceolata) is not as well-known. It is an enchanting multi-stemmed evergreen shrub that grows quickly and vigorously. Its lovely arching branches, with their pale grey bark and willow-like green leaves, bear masses of drooping, honey-scented sprays of creamy-yellow flowers at their tips.

It will bloom sporadically throughout the year but its main flowering season will depend on whether it is grown in the winter or summer rainfall regions of South Africa. In the winter rainfall regions, flowering is from late summer (February) through autumn and winter to early spring (August), and sporadically throughout the year. In our summer rainfall regions it may bloom mainly from mid to late winter and spring (June to August), but also sporadically through summer. The flowers are followed by fruits which are small brown capsules, and produced all year.

The yellow honeybell varies in height and spread, depending on climate, rainfall and soil type, but in the garden it reaches anything from 3 to 5m tall with an equal spread, and under optimal conditions it can even reach 6m in height.

In the wild Freylinia lanceolata thrives in moist areas, and is commonly found growing along the banks of streams or on the edges of marshes or vleis. It is found in the Northern Cape from Namaqualand and Calvinia in the western Karoo, southwards and westwards through the Western Cape, and eastwards to Uitenhage in the Eastern Cape.

In South Africa there are 9 species of Freylinia, 8 of which are found in the Cape Province, and Freylinia tropica which occurs in the summer rainfall regions. South African species are: Freylinia tropica, Freylinia crispa, Freylinia densiflora, Freylinia helmei, Freylinia lanceolata, Freylinia longiflora, Freylinia undulata, Freylinia visseri and Freylinia vlokii.

Freylinia tropica must be the most well-known honeybell bush in South Africa, and is cherished for its abundance of dainty flowers in delicate shades of pale blue, mauve and white, and also for its hardiness and ease of growth. Members can click here to read more about Freylinia tropica on this website

Freylinia visseri is an exceptionally attractive garden species with lovely foliage and beautiful clusters of long tubular, maroon-red flowers.  Sadly, this species has become extremely rare in its natural habitat, and is classified as threatened in the Red Data Book, so if you find some for sale, snatch them up. Members can click here to read more about Freylinia visseri on this website

Click here too see Google images of Freylinia tropica

Click here too see Google images of Freylinia crispa

Click here too see Google images of Freylinia densiflora

Click here too see Google images of Freylinia helmei

Click here too see Google images of Freylinia lanceolata

Click here too see Google images of Freylinia longiflora

Click here too see Google images of Freylinia undulata

Click here too see Google images of Freylinia visseri

Click here too see Google images of Freylinia vlokii

In the Garden:

The yellow honeybell bush is a lovely large shrub for the garden, and if allowed to mature fully it is better suited to medium sized and larger gardens where it can be allowed to grow without restriction into its naturally graceful shape, and be admired to its fullest.

Its most enchanting attribute is its lovely weeping habit which gives the plant a less formal look, and the soft, flexible branches and long thin leaves sway in the breeze, creating movement within the garden. If you retain the lower branches, these characteristics are also what make this freylinia an excellent choice for an informal windbreak or screening plant. It can also be clipped into a neat, formal hedge, but this requires a lot of maintenance.

It is perfect to plant in fynbos and rock gardens, and because it loves moisture, it’s a good candidate to utilise in poorly drained areas of the garden. On farms or in large parks, it would be perfectly at home alongside a large dam, pond, or water feature. It also holds its own if planted towards the back of an informal shrub border.

For smaller spaces, it can be pruned up into a traditional, small, single stemmed tree, suitable for even tiny gardens, or for planting into pots on balconies.

To get the most value from the flower displays, plant it alongside a winding pathway where the flowers can be seen close up. They attract hosts of butterflies and a variety of insects, which in turn become food for insectivorous (insect-eating) birds such as the black-headed oriole, pied and crested barbets, Cape robins, and thrushes.

Click here to see images of the African Black-headed Oriole

Click here to see images of Pied Barbets

Click here to see images of the Crested Barbets

Click here to see images of the Cape Robin

Click here to see images of South African Thrushes

Cultivation/Propagation:

In the garden it is most accommodating, and fares equally well in both our summer and winter rainfall regions. It tolerates heat and temperatures as high as 37°C, as well as moderate frost and temperatures as low as -2°C.

The yellow honeybell enjoys moist conditions and is very fast-growing if well-watered. It prefers a sunny spot in the garden, but will take some light shade.  It grows easily in ordinary, fertile garden soil. Too look at its best in the garden, it needs to be watered regularly, and especially during dry spells. It also requires regular trimming after flowering to keep it neat.

It is easily propagated from fresh seed which should germinate within three weeks. Stem cuttings taken during the warmer summer months root easily, and under suitable conditions young plants grow fast and may flower within a couple of seasons.

Problems, Pests & Diseases:

If planted in a sunny spot with sufficient amounts of water, the honeybell bush is a relatively undemanding garden plant, with few pests and diseases that worry it. In too much shade, however, shrubs have sparse foliage and the bark may become covered in lichen.

Warning:

I have no confirmation that any part of this plant is toxic, however I always urge caution as this information may be incorrect. Always supervise small children and pets in the garden, discouraging them from chewing on plants.

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Picture courtesy Green Acres Nursery CaliforniaThis plant is not freely available in South Africa anymore because it only grows in frost-free regions and is considered invasive in many tropical regions of the world. I have included it in my plant index for identification purposes as many old gardens still have it growing.

Click here to see its status on the SANBI Red List of South African Plants

I suggest you try something else like (Bauhinia galpinii) Pride-of-De-Kaap, Vlam-van-die-vlakte, which you can prune to keep smaller.

Southern Africa has 10 species of Caesalpinia of which 4 have been introduced and are invasive (Germishuizen 2001). The other 6 are indigenous to southern Africa (C. bonduc, C. bracteata, C. merxmuellerana, C. pearsonii, C. rostrata and C. rubra). The last four are confined to dry regions of Namibia. The Mauritius thorn (Caesalpinia decapetala), bird-of-paradise (C. gilliesii), C. pulcherrina and C. spinosa are invasive (Henderson 2001). Probably the best known is the bird-of-paradise (C. gilliesii), which is common in the Northern Cape.

The Peacock flower is believed to be native to the West Indies and tropical America. It is widely cultivated and has escaped cultivation and become established in tropical regions throughout the world.

It is grown for its incredibly showy spikes of orange-scarlet flowers that bloom for most of the year in the tropics. The stem and branches are armed with sharp spines and the leaves are fernlike, with many small, oval leaflets. The fruit is a pod 6 to 12 cm long and when ripe, they split open noisily to expose the little brown beans.

This popular ornamental plant is widely grown in tropical gardens and is the national flower of the Caribbean island of Barbados. It is commonly planted in public gardens as a specimen plant or in the mixed border. It has an open, spreading habit and the branches sometimes get too long for their own good and break off. Still, a line of peacock flowers makes a showy fine-textured screen or informal hedge that will attract butterflies to your garden. Don't plant this sharply thorny shrub near pedestrian traffic.

The Peacock Flower is a semi-evergreen shrub that is tender to frost and only grows well in the warmly temperate and sub-tropical regions of South Africa. It will grow very quickly to 2 to 3m tall and spread up to 2m wide. The Peacock flower is very easy to grow in alkaline to acidic, well-drained soils. It will tolerate light shade but flowers best in full sun. Feed with a balanced organic fertiliser about 4 times a year and although it is relatively drought hardy once established, it will do best if it is watered regularly during dry spells, especially when it is flowering. The Peacock Flower will benefit from pruning and is often cut back to ground level in late winter and early spring. It can be shaped into a small tree or bushy shrub.

Tecoma capensis 'Apricot' Picture courtesy www.newplant.co.zaCondensed Version:

This indigenous shrub remains wildly popular with gardeners for its clusters of tubular flowers in brilliant shades of orange, red, yellow, apricot or salmon, and the vibrancy of the flower colours is shown off perfectly by the plants dark green, glossy leaves. In the garden it is fast growing and will vary in height and spread depending on how it is pruned. If left to its own devices it can grow anything from 1.5 to 3m tall, with an equal spread, but just a little pruning can keep it compact enough for even the smallest garden.

The Cape honeysuckle tolerates salt spray and is adaptable to poor, sandy soil, but it will grow best in well-drained, composted soil. It is semi-hardy to moderate frost, in frost-free regions it is evergreen and in colder regions it is semi-deciduous. Although it flowers best in full sun, it will tolerate some shade. Although moderately drought hardy, water regularly in the garden, especially in very hot regions. Pruning in late winter or early spring is essential to keep it as a shrub and to control its size, and even ruthless pruning is tolerated.

Tecoma capensis 'Pink Blush' Picture courtesy www.newplant.co.zaFull Version:

Description, History & Interesting Facts:

This indigenous shrub remains wildly popular with gardeners in South Africa and around the world for its clusters of tubular flowers in brilliant shades of orange, red, yellow, apricot or salmon, thanks to modern garden hybrids. Flowering is sporadic throughout the year in warm regions, and these hybrids have even more blooming power, and the vibrancy of the flower colours is shown off perfectly by the plants dark green, glossy leaves. The flowers are followed by long, narrow seed pods which split open when ripe, to disperse the seeds.

In the wild Tecomaria capensis grows at the edges of evergreen forests, bush and sheltered scrubland as a sprawling, rampant, sometimes vine-like shrub that produces orange-red flowers. It is widely distributed throughout the Eastern Cape coasts, KwaZulu-Natal, Swaziland, Mpumalanga, the Northern Province and Mozambique. The flowers are pollinated by nectar-feeding birds, especially sunbirds, but are also visited by honeybees and butterflies.

In the garden it is fast growing and will vary in height and spread depending on how it is pruned. If left to its own devices it can grow anything from 1.5 to 3m tall, with an equal spread, but just a little pruning can keep it compact enough for even the smallest garden.
 
Tecoma capensis 'Rocky Horror' Picture courtesy www.newplant.co.zaUses:

The bark is used in traditional medicine to treat many ailments: to bring down fevers and relieve pain, and especially stomach pains, diarrhoea and gastro-enteritis. It is also used to treat sleeplessness, to bring down fevers, and to treat chest ailments like bronchitis. Nursing mothers use it to encourage the flow of milk, and the dried and powdered bark is rubbed around the teeth to treat bleeding gums.

Even animals seem to know this plant is good for them, and both game and stock animals love to browse the leaves. For this reason farmers love to plant it along fences as additional grazing.

In the Garden:

The Cape honeysuckle is a useful ornamental, screening or hedging plant and grows easily in pots. It is ideal to plant in seaside gardens, and because it is water-wise, is used for xeriscaping - landscaping and gardening that reduces or eliminates the need for supplemental water from irrigation.

Its tubular flowers will attract nectar-feeding birds to your garden, and are a magnet for butterflies. It can be shaped into an attractive shrub and is commonly used for screening, or trimmed into a formal or informal hedge. In large areas it can be planted as a groundcover, and on rocky slopes it is marvellous to control soil erosion.

To train it as a climber you will need to tie it to a support, or weave it through chain-link or wooden fences and trellises. It can also be espaliered on a wall, or trained to cascade beautifully down a garden wall.

The Cape honeysuckle is a carefree garden plant which does not suffer from any serious peats and diseases, making it perfect for eco-conscious gardeners who do not spray harmful chemicals.

Picture courtesy Wilferd Duckitt - Lesser Double-Collard Sunbird in Tecomaria capensis - See his flickr page.Cultivation/Propagation:

The Cape honeysuckle tolerates salt spray and is adaptable to poor, sandy soil, but it will grow best in well-drained, composted soil. This plant is semi-hardy to moderate frost, in frost-free regions it is evergreen and in colder regions it is semi-deciduous. In very cold regions it may be cut back right down to the ground in winter, but will shoot from the roots again in summer as long as they are mulched to prevent them from freezing, and the plant is grown in a sheltered position in the garden.

Although the Cape honeysuckle flowers best in full sun, it will tolerate some shade. It is moderately drought hardy once established, but responds well if it is watered regularly in the garden, especially in very hot regions. Pruning in late winter or early spring is essential to keep it as a shrub and to control its size, and even ruthless pruning is tolerated. If you feed with a balanced fertiliser after pruning and mulch the roots with compost, your Cape honeysuckle will be good to go for another season.

The Cape honeysuckle is easily propagated from seeds and softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings. This plant also layers itself naturally and any branch that lies on the soil will take root easily. These rooted pieces can be severed from the mother plant and planted out. In warmer climates propagation can be done at any time but in cooler regions propagation is done during spring or summer.

Problems, Pests & Diseases:

The Cape honeysuckle is a carefree garden plant which does not suffer from any serious peats and diseases, making it perfect for eco-conscious gardeners.

Warning:

We could not find this plant listed in poison databases and currently studies are being done to evaluate the analgesic, anti-inflammatory and antipyretic activity of methanolic Tecomaria capensis leaves extract using different models in rats. Results demonstrated that no mortality was reported even after 14 days, so it seems that consuming this plant is not dangerous for humans either, however, it is always wise to supervise young children in the garden.

Pavetta revoluta. Picture courtesy www.newplant.co.za Condensed Version:

Pavetta revoluta occurs from Port Alfred up through the former Transkei region (Eastern Cape) to KwaZulu-Natal, where it can be found growing in forest and dune bush, in a narrow strip along the coast, not far from the sea. Its full, showy bunches of white flowers will delight in late spring, early or midsummer, covering the plant from top to bottom, and showing up brilliantly against the glossy, dark green leaves, and smooth textured, light-coloured bark.

In the garden the dune bride's bush is a slow growing evergreen plant which remains very neat, requiring very little pruning. It varies in height according to climate, but generally grows from 2 to 3m tall, and can spread as wide. The dune brides bush is truly a joy to have and it can be trained as a shrub or a delightful tiny tree. It is a definite 'must have' for all wildlife gardens and is highly recommended for small gardens. It also grows beautifully in a pot.

The dune brides bush is a shade loving plant but will take a reasonable amount of sunshine. Plant it in a sheltered position in the garden for the best results. The plant loves fertile, well-drained soil, so prepare the planting hole very well, incorporating compost, well-rotted manure and a little bone-meal. Mulch the roots seasonally and water your plant regularly during the first year or two for optimum growth. Water regularly thereafter, especially during long dry spells, because although the plant tolerates drought, it thrives if watered regularly.

Full Version:

Description, History & Interesting Facts:

The genus Pavetta is a large family of plants that are native to the warm areas of Africa, Asia and Australia, comprising of about 400 species from the Old World tropics. In South Africa there are about 24 species, all of which grow in the summer rainfall regions of the country. All species have small black dots on the leaves, and these are bacterial nodes that fix nitrogen from the air, in much the same way as the roots of legumes fix nitrogen from the soil in their roots.

Several species are cultivated in gardens; including Pavetta lanceolata, Pavetta revoluta, Pavetta cooperi and Pavetta gardeniifolia. Pavetta belong to the gardenia (katjiepiering) family of plants and are grown for their sweetly scented flowers in summer. The flowers are full of nectar, attracting many insect pollinators, and the clusters of fat, shiny black fruits which follow the flowers are relished by fruit eating birds.

Pavetta revoluta occurs from Port Alfred up through the former Transkei region (Eastern Cape) to KwaZulu-Natal, where it can be found growing in forest and dune bush, in a narrow strip along the coast, not far from the sea, where it remains a dwarf, about 1m tall. Under optimal conditions inland it can grow up to 6m tall. Its full, showy bunches of white flowers will delight in late spring, early or midsummer, covering the plant from top to bottom, and showing up brilliantly against the glossy, dark green leaves, and smooth textured, light-coloured bark.

Uses:

It is reported that the Xhosa people use it for rheumatism and as emetic insecticide, presumably worms.

In the Garden:

In the garden the dune bride's bush is a slow growing evergreen plant which remains very neat, requiring very little pruning. It varies in height according to climate, but generally grows from 2 to 3m tall, and can spread as wide. The dune brides bush is truly a joy to have and it can be trained as a shrub or a delightful tiny tree. It is a definite 'must have' for all wildlife gardens and is highly recommended for small gardens. It also grows beautifully in a pot.

Cultivation/Propagation:

The dune brides bush is a shade loving plant but will take a reasonable amount of sunshine. Plant it in a sheltered position in the garden for the best results. The plant loves fertile, well-drained soil, so prepare the planting hole very well, incorporating compost, well-rotted manure and a little bone-meal. Mulch the roots seasonally and water your plant regularly during the first year or two for optimum growth. Water regularly thereafter, especially during long dry spells, because although the plant tolerates drought, it thrives if watered regularly.

Pavetta revoluta can be grown from seeds or cuttings. Sow seeds in summer in seed trays in a well-drained, well-aerated soil mix. Treat the seed with an anti-damping-off fungicide. Spread the seeds evenly and cover with a layer of fine bark or river sand. Water the seed tray and place it in a warm place. Under optimum conditions, germination should take place in 3 to 5 weeks.

Take semi-hardwood cuttings in spring. Cuttings must be dipped in a rooting hormone to stimulate root development. The growth medium should be a mixture of 50% bark and 50% polystyrene. Treat the tray with a fungicide and put it in a mist unit with under-heating. Rooting should take six weeks.

Problems, Pests & Diseases:

Luckily, the dune brides bush does not suffer from any serious pests and diseases.

Warning:

Pavetta are poisonous and contain an unidentified toxin which causes myocarditis and sudden death due to acute heart failure. The condition is also known as ‘gousiekte’, hence the common name for P. schumannianii (poisonous bride's bush). Two species in the genus; P. harborii and P. Schumannianii, are known to be poisonous to stock.

Aloe arborescensCondensed Version:

The beautiful krantz aloe is a valuable garden asset and possibly the most widely cultivated aloe in the world. From May to July it bears flowers in fiery shades of deep-orange, which is the most common colour, but there are also forms with colours like salmon pink, a deep orange-red, a lovely butter-yellow colour, and striking bi-coloured hybrids. The plant stands out in the landscape with its stately form, up to 2 to 3m tall, and its spreading habit, producing a multi-headed shrub of striking green leaves armed with sharp teeth at their margins, and arranged in attractive rosettes. It is very useful for larger gardens, and a valuable accent plant. It can also be grown as an excellent and impenetrable hedging plant.

The krantz aloe grows quickly in the garden, and is a wonderful low-maintenance and water-wise plant. It is a great coastal plant and does just as well inland, tolerating moderate frost and drought.  It will always look its best in the garden, however, if it is watered judiciously during long dry spells.

All aloes thrive in full sun, and the one thing they are all really fussy about is perfect soil drainage, otherwise they will adapt to most soil types. Adding some compost to the planting hole, along with a generous dressing of bone meal will get your plant off to a good start. Mulching around the roots in autumn with compost or kraal manure will be sufficient to ensure glorious blooms in winter.

Full Version:

Description, History & Interesting Facts:

Aloe arborescens

The beautiful krantz aloe is a valuable garden asset and possibly the most widely cultivated aloe in the world. It is cherished for its profusion of warmly coloured flower spikes during the drab winter months when not much else is blooming in the garden. From May to July it bears flowers in fiery shades of deep-orange, which is the most common colour, but there are also forms with colours like salmon pink, a deep orange-red, and also a lovely butter-yellow colour. Plant breeders have even developed striking bi-coloured hybrids which are sure to delight.

In South Africa we are proud to call this beauty our very own and it is gracing more and more gardens, much to the delight of humans, birds and other wildlife, providing them will a valuable food source when this is scarce. In the wild the krantz aloe is concentrated mainly in the eastern summer rainfall areas, but it can also be found from the Cape Peninsula and along the eastern coast, through KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Limpopo provinces. It occurs in low coastal scrub to high mountain tops, and although it is adaptable to many habitats, favours exposed sunny ridges and rocky outcrops.

When in full bloom the krantz aloe is easy to spot in the wild, but even when not in bloom it still stands out in the landscape with its stately form, up to 2 to 3m tall, and its spreading habit, producing a multi-headed shrub of striking green leaves armed with sharp teeth at their margins, and arranged in attractive rosettes.

Because Aloe arborescens hybridises readily with other aloes, the species formerly known as Aloe mutabilis is now regarded as a form of Aloe arborescens. This hybrid is smaller growing than the krantz aloe and is more evident on the high inland plateau of the northern provinces of South Africa, where it grows on cliffs and produces gorgeous red and yellow bi-coloured flower spikes.

Uses:

Aloe arborescens is the only other member of the aloe family that is claimed to be as effective as Aloe Vera for medical uses. The sap of the leaves has many uses and has been used to treat stomach ailments for many centuries, as well as abrasions, burns and skin ailments. The Zulu people use the leaves of this plant as a protection against storms, and in the Transkei it is used for stomach ache and given to chickens to prevent them from getting sick. Extracts from the leaves have been widely researched and have shown significant wound healing, anti-bacterial, anti-ulcer, anti-inflammatory, anti-carcinogenic, hypoglycaemic and also alopoeic activity.

In the Garden:

The krantz aloe is easy to grow, extremely water-wise, and also a 'must-have' for anyone wanting to stock their herb gardens with indigenous healing plants - good reasons to include at least one of these decorative aloes in your garden.

Because it grows into a large and spreading plant the krantz aloe is very useful for larger gardens, and a valuable accent plant with its attractive foliage and decorative form. It can also be grown as an excellent and impenetrable hedging plant, and is an excellent fire-retardant succulent for wildfire-prone areas.

The flowers produce copious amounts of nectar, attracting many birds, especially sunbirds, as well as butterflies, bees and other insects.

Cultivation/Propagation:

The krantz aloe grows quickly in the garden, and is a wonderful low-maintenance and water-wise plant. It is a great coastal plant and does just as well inland, tolerating moderate frost and drought.  It will always look its best in the garden, however, if it is watered judiciously during long dry spells.

All aloes thrive in full sun, and the one thing they are all really fussy about is perfect soil drainage, otherwise they will adapt to most soil types. Adding some compost to the planting hole, along with a generous dressing of bone meal will get your plant off to a good start. Mulching around the roots in autumn with compost or kraal manure will be sufficient to ensure glorious blooms in winter.

The krantz aloe is easily propagated from branch or stem cuttings. Allow the branches to dry for a day, or until the wound has sealed, before planting into well-drained soil or washed river-sand. Do not overwater the cuttings or they may rot. Seed can be sown in spring, taking about 3 to 4 weeks to germinate.

Problems, Pests & Diseases:

Aloe rust shows as small, pale yellow spots on leaves which expand and turn brown; orange spore masses may be present on underside of leaf; leaves may drop from plant. Disease emergence favours cool temperatures and high humidity. Although this disease is self-limiting and requires no treatment, it is unsightly and may be treated with a suitable fungicide if necessary.

Anthracnose disease shows initially as small round to oval, dark green water-soaked spots, which later become circular with tan to light brown centres. As the spots mature the centre of the lesion becomes reddish-brown to brown in colour, progressing to form lesions which join together to form big necrotic areas. This fungal disease is favoured by warm, wet weather, and is spread easily during wet weather by water splash. It can be controlled by the application of a suitable fungicide.

Basal stem rot turns the base of the plant reddish brown to black and causes rotting. This is a fatal disease of aloes and its emergence favours cold, damp conditions. Try to save pieces of the plant which are not infected by taking cuttings above the rotted portion.

Bacterial soft rot symptoms show as watery, rotting leaves which are darker in colour; young leaves wilting and collapsing, and bulging leaves due to gas formation inside. This fatal disease can be avoided by not overwatering plants. This bacterium survives in plant debris in the field, and its emergence is favoured by hot, wet weather.

Aphids feed at the bases of the leaves or in the rolled ends of damaged leaves. They secrete sticky, sweet honeydew, which results in sooty mould development. Severe infestation leads to slow growth and stunting. Organically acceptable methods of control include the application of insecticidal soap and preservation of natural enemies.

Adult Snout Beetles feed off of Aloe leaves, their presence can usually be detected by the presence of circular lesions that have a transverse slit in the centre. Snout Beetles lay their eggs at the base of aloe leaves, and after the larvae have hatched they bore into the stem just below the crown which usually results in the death of the plant.

Click here to read a more in-depth article on the problems, pests and diseases which affect Aloes.

Warning:

Aloe arborescens is the only other member of the aloe family that is claimed to be as effective as Aloe Vera for medical uses, and although these two aloes have a rich history in the realm of natural healing, producing a clear, gelatine-like substance that soothes burns and relieves skin conditions such as psoriasis when used topically, they can be toxic in certain circumstances.

Just below the outer skin of the aloe plant’s leaves is a layer of yellow juice. This juice, also known as the plant’s latex and contains a natural chemical called “aloin.” Aloin is a type of anthraquinone glycoside, which may irritate your skin if you have an allergy to latex. The skin irritation or allergy associated with latex is known as contact dermatitis, which produces a localized rash.

Aloe latex contains powerful laxative properties, and the ingestion of aloe juice or latex may also irritate the intestines when taken orally.If aloe latex is consumed in large quantities it can lead to diarrhoea. Serious bouts of diarrhoea in young children and animals may result in loss of electrolytes and dehydration. If you suspect the ingestion of aloe latex by a young child or animal, it is important to seek medical advice.