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THE BIG PICTURE
gArdening

There’s this versatile little miracle plant called

Spekboom. Perhaps you’ve heard of it?

ith all the concerns The REAL deal about Spekboom
around ‘global climate All items listed here are fantastic reasons
change,’ this seemingly to love this plant, but the main reason why
humble succulent, the Spekboom is heralded as South Africa’s
wfound predominantly in miracle plant, enjoying unprecedented plant
the Eastern Cape and in the Karoo, seems popularity in the press and on social media,
like the God-given answer to the planet’s is its ability to remove carbon dioxide from
environmental problems. But there’s so much the atmosphere and improve the quality of
more to this incredible plant it’s no wonder the air we breathe at an astonishing rate.
we are hearing such a lot about it lately and It has been established that this superior
why it has become extremely trendy to plant succulent can absorb between four to ten
one, hashtag it, ‘share’ and ‘like’ all that is tonnes of carbon per hectare to make plant
Spekboom. tissue and produce oxygen, even after the
sun sets. The plant stores solar energy to
Why the name ‘Spekboom’? perform photosynthesis at night, making a
Its scientific name is Portulacaria afra but it is Spekboom thicket ten times more effective
affectionately known as 'Spekboom' which is at carbon fixing per hectare than a tropical
literally translated from Afrikaans as 'Bacon rainforest! Excess carbon in the atmosphere
Tree'. Other names include ‘Dwarf Jade,' 'Pork is responsible for global warming, so the
Bush' and ‘Elephant Bush' mostly because more carbon we can remove from the air and
wild game, especially elephants, love to feed return to the ground, the better. If you put
on Spekboom leaves and this shrub forms an this into perspective, it is truly amazing.
integral part of their diet.
Edible, Nutritious, with Medicinal Benefits MOre InTereSTIng fACTS:
However, this plant is not just for elephants • Spekboom plants are said to be able to live around 200 years and can grow up to five
- sucking on the leaf of a Spekboom can metres tall.
quench your thirst, treat exhaustion, and
alleviate heatstroke - something to remember • The taste of the leaves can change depending on the time of day as the sun rises and
if you ever happen to find yourself lost in the sets.
bush. Its delicious citrus flavour makes for a
fresh and exciting addition to salads, stews • The creators of The Great Labyrinth of Africa in Klapmuts aim to establish a Spekboom
and roasts, there are even cake recipes to try plantation so large that it can be seen from outer space.
out! Juiced leaves can be used as an effective
antiseptic to soothe anything from mouth • A man with the name Abraham Enzo van Vuuren, an environmental activist who cycles
infections, sore throats, pimples, rashes, all over the country to raise environmental awareness, carries a baby Spekboom in a vial
stings and sunburn. What’s more, rumour has around his neck.
it that breastfeeding mothers in Mozambique
(apparently) eat Spekboom leaves to increase • A Spekboom plant is a very easy-to-grow plant. It enjoys plenty of sunlight and can
their milk supply. thrive equally as a bonsai tree, in a pretty pot, or in the ground as part of a hedge.

Water-wise and Eco-friendly • With all its amazing medicinal properties, one wonders if there shouldn’t be some
Hardy though all seasons and weather research into the Spekboom plant in the global challenge of finding a cure or a therapy
conditions, Spekboom has a photosynthetic for the COVID-19 virus! Some food for thought!
mechanism which allows it to adapt to both
rainforest-like settings and drought-stricken, Source: Garden & Home, with input from Michelle Burger
arid environments, making it suitable for
almost any garden. It is very resilient, as it
only needs as little as 250 - 350mm of water
per year to thrive. The pretty, pink Spekboom
flowers that appear late winter to early spring
are nectar-rich and attract endangered
bees, which is highly beneficial for a healthy,
balanced ecosystem, thus stimulating
biodiversity.

Easy to grow
Spekboom is easily propagated, which is
great news for budget gardeners. Simply
cut or break off a segment of a Spekboom,
let it dry out for one or two days and then
stick it in the ground. Give it a little water*
every few days and you’ll soon have a new
Spekboom plant of your own. (*Make sure
you don’t give it too much water or it will
rot.)

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