Succulent Seeds

Opuntia, also known as nopales or paddle cactus, is a genus in the cactus family, Cactaceae. Currently, only prickly pears are included in this genus of about 200 species distributed throughout most of the Americas. The fruit of prickly pears, commonly called cactus fruit, cactus fig, Indian fig or tuna in Spanish, is edible, although it has to be peeled carefully to remove the small spines on the outer skin before consumption. If the outer layer is not properly removed, glochids can be ingested, causing discomfort of the throat, lips, and tongue, as the small spines are easily lodged in the skin. Native Americans, like the Tequesta, would roll the fruit around in a suitable medium (e.g. grit) to "sand" off the glochids. Alternatively, rotating the fruit in the flame of a campfire or torch has been used to remove the glochids.

Aloe is a genus containing about 400 species of flowering succulent plants. The most common and well known of these is Aloe vera, or "true aloe". The genus is native to Africa, and is common in South Africa's Cape Province, the mountains of tropical Africa, and neighbouring areas such as Madagascar, the Arabian peninsula, and the islands of Africa. Most Aloe species have a rosette of large, thick, fleshy leaves. The leaves are often lance-shaped with a sharp apex and a spiny margin. Aloe flowers are tubular, frequently yellow, orange, pink or red, and are borne, densely clustered and pendant, at the apex of simple or branched, leafless stems. Many species of Aloe appear to be stem less, with the rosette growing directly at ground level; other varieties may have a branched or unbranched stem from which the fleshy leaves spring. They vary in colour from grey to bright-green and are sometimes striped or mottled. Some Aloes native to South Africa are arborescent.

Growing to 0.6m with densely rosulate copiously spotted leaves and yellow to red flowers with basal swelling in winter.

USDA Zone - 9

Season to Sow - Spring

Crassula is a large genus of succulent plants containing many species, including the popular Jade Plant, Crassula ovata. They are native to many parts of the globe, but cultivated varieties are almost exclusively from the Eastern Cape of South Africa. Crassulas are usually propagated by stem or leaf cuttings. Most cultivated forms will tolerate some small degree of frost, but extremes of cold or heat will cause them to lose foliage and die. A mix of 5-8 Crassula species. The mix of species varies depending on which seeds are available.

USDA Zone - 8

Season to Sow - Autumn / Spring

40cm erect plant, slender spines, floriferous, slightly concave pale purple flowers with faint greenish-yellow stripes. Sow Spring.

USDA Zone - 8

Season to Sow - Spring

The quiver tree or Aloe dichotoma is probably the best known aloe found in South Africa and Namibia. Visitors to the Cape can see a recently planted forest of quiver trees at the Karoo Desert National Botanical Garden. This distinctive tree aloe has smooth branches, which are covered with a thin layer of whitish powder that helps to reflect away the hot sun's rays. The bark on the trunk forms beautiful golden brown scales, but beware, the edges of these scales are razor sharp. The crown is often densely rounded as a result of the repeatedly forked branches, hence the species name dichotoma. (dichotomous meaning forked). The blue-green leaves are borne on terminal rosettes, but in juvenile plants the leaves are ranked in vertical rows. The bright yellow flowers are borne from June to July. The young flower buds can be eaten and have a similar appearance and taste to asparagus. Sugar birds are drawn to these flowers in winter where they feed on the nectar produced by the flowers. Aloe dichotoma is an extremely tough tree that may reach an age of over 80 years and a height of approximately 7 metres. This species is a conspicuous component of the arid parts generally known as Namaqualand and Bushman land. It occurs in rocky areas, from near Nieuwoudtville northwards into Namibia and eastwards to Upington and Kenhardt. A common phenomenon in the branches of these trees is the huge communal nest of weavers that live and breed by the thousands. Here their young and unborn are safe from predators such as snakes and jackals.

USDA Zone - 10

Season to Sow - Autumn

Aloe is a genus containing about 400 species of flowering succulent plants. The most common and well known of these is Aloe vera, or "true aloe". The genus is native to Africa, and is common in South Africa's Cape Province, the mountains of tropical Africa, and neighbouring areas such as Madagascar, the Arabian peninsula, and the islands of Africa. Most Aloe species have a rosette of large, thick, fleshy leaves. The leaves are often lance-shaped with a sharp apex and a spiny margin. Aloe flowers are tubular, frequently yellow, orange, pink or red, and are borne, densely clustered and pendant, at the apex of simple or branched, leafless stems. Many species of Aloe appear to be stem less, with the rosette growing directly at ground level; other varieties may have a branched or unbranched stem from which the fleshy leaves spring. They vary in colour from grey to bright-green and are sometimes striped or mottled. Some Aloes native to South Africa are arborescent.

2-3m, dense rosette of fleshy dull green leaves, scarlet flowers in Winter. Sow Spring.

USDA Zone - 9

Season to Sow - Spring

Faucaria is a genus of around 33 species of succulent subtropical plants of the family Aizoaceae. The name comes from the Latin word "fauces" (= animal mouth) because of the appearance of leaves. The natural habitat is in the Cape Province and the Karoo desert. Small plants of 8 cm diameter, with thick triangular leaves. On the edges of the leaves there are upright teeth in opposite pairs that looks like an animal mouth. It may become bushy.

Aloe is a genus containing about 400 species of flowering succulent plants. The most common and well known of these is Aloe vera, or "true aloe". The genus is native to Africa, and is common in South Africa's Cape Province, the mountains of tropical Africa, and neighbouring areas such as Madagascar, the Arabian peninsula, and the islands of Africa. Most Aloe species have a rosette of large, thick, fleshy leaves. The leaves are often lance-shaped with a sharp apex and a spiny margin. Aloe flowers are tubular, frequently yellow, orange, pink or red, and are borne, densely clustered and pendant, at the apex of simple or branched, leafless stems. Many species of Aloe appear to be stem less, with the rosette growing directly at ground level; other varieties may have a branched or unbranched stem from which the fleshy leaves spring. They vary in colour from grey to bright-green and are sometimes striped or mottled. Some Aloes native to South Africa are arborescent.

Synonymous with Aloe marlothii. Aloe spectabilis, has taller, less horizontal inflorescences.

USDA Zone - 9

Season to Sow - Spring

The range of the genus Antimima spreads from southern Namibia southward to the Eastern Cape Province in South Africa. A few species are found in the Northern Great Province and the Free State. In general, the plants form dense, symmetrical cushions. The flowers, which can appear throughout the year, are pink to purple and can appear in clusters or be solitary. The genus is closely related to the genus Ruschia, the only real difference being in the seed capsule structure. In general the plants are not finicky and are easily propagated by seed or cutting. Large species do well as rockery plants, while the small species make good pot subjects. Few species of this large genus are cultivated. A mix of 5-8 Antimima species. The mix of species varies depending on which seeds are available.

USDA Zone - 8

Season to Sow - Autumn

The genus Dinteranthus occurs in the north-western parts of the Northern Cape Provice, South Africa and the south-eastern parts of Namibia. The small sphaeroid bodies of these plants resemble other rock-like mesembs such as Lithops. The leaf pairs are separated by a deep cleft from which the flower arises. Unlike other sphaeroids, however, the leaves often have a distinct keel along the lower leaf surface. The plants are popular among collectors. They need excellent drainage and a good deal of light. They should be treated like Lithops, though they require less water.

A stemless clump forming plant. Plants need summer resting period.

USDA Zone - 8

Season to Sow - Autumn

The genus Stapelia consists of around 40 species of low growing, spineless, stem succulent plants, predominantly from South Africa. The flowers of certain species, most notably Stapelia gigantea, can reach 41 cm in diameter when fully open. Most Stapelia flowers are visibly hairy and generate the odour of rotten flesh to attract various specialist pollinators including, in the case of carrion scented blooms, blow flies of the dipteran family Calliphoridae. The hairy, oddly textured and coloured appearance of many Stapelia flowers has been claimed to resemble that of rotting meat, this, coupled with their odour, has earned the most commonly grown members of the Stapelia genus the common name of "carrion flowers".

Growing to 20cm, very variable, compact to straggly, deeply lobed flowers of buff/reddish/purplish colours, slightly hairy. Sow Spring.

USDA Zone - 10

Season to Sow - Spring

Pachypodium is a genus of succulent spine-bearing trees and shrubs, native to Africa. It belongs to the dogbane family, Apocynaceae.

This Southern Madagascar occurring species features deciduous leaves that are very long, narrow and green with a light grey felt covering, most notably on the undersides. The leaves have a much lighter middle vein that has a rose tint to it and are more upright than lamerii. The trunk is a smooth greyish silver and may reach 10 meters in time. Spines are in clusters of three and are sharp and strong. The flowers are white and relatively small with an exposed anther cone in the centre.

USDA Zone - 9

Season to Sow - Spring

Pachypodium is a genus of succulent spine-bearing trees and shrubs, native to Africa. It belongs to the dogbane family, Apocynaceae.

Horombense is a compact plant. The deciduous leaves are narrow, the leaves are dark green with a lighter middle vein and form a rosette around the tips of branches. The trunk is smooth with conical spines and is greenish silver. Branching occurs more frequently and may start from the base. This species has larger yellow flowers in clusters on fairly long peduncles. Horombense should be given full light and plenty of water during the warmer months and less water in the cool months.

USDA Zone - 9

Season to Sow - Spring

Bulbine is a genus of plants in the family Xanthorrhoeaceae, subfamily Asphodeloideae, named for the bulb-shaped tuber shown by many of the species. Bulbine is found chiefly in Southern Africa, with few species extending into tropical Africa and a few species in Australia. Bulbine is characterised by having flowers borne in lax or compound racemes, and by being succulent. The flowers are mostly yellow, with bearded stamens, although sometimes white, orange or pink.

Growing to 60cm found in large colonies with rosette thickly fleshy bright green leaves and long stems with yellow flowers year round.

USDA Zone - 9

Season to sow - Spring

Succulent plants, also known as succulents or fat plants, are water-retaining plants adapted to arid climates or soil conditions. Succulent plants store water in their leaves, stems, and also in roots. Geophytes that survive unfavourable periods by dying back to underground storage organs such as tuberous roots, corms, bulbs, and rhizomes, may be regarded as succulents. The storage of water often gives succulent plants a more swollen or fleshy appearance than other plants, a characteristic known as succulence. In addition to succulence, succulent plants variously have other water-saving features.

"Bokbaaivygie", tufted annual, very showy flowers in Spring, dry sandy areas, full sun. Sow Autumn.

USDA Zone - 8

Season to Sow - Autumn

Cheiridopsis is a genus that consists of 100 succulents, native to southern Africa. Most are clumping form, a few are shrubby. The leaves are opposite and triangular in section, rarely flattened, the surface more or less velvety, which makes them easy to distinguish from species of the allied genus Argyroderma. The name comes from the Greek, "cheiris" means sleeve. Each succeeding pair differs from the previous one in form, size, and relative unity of the leaves. Those most united wither in the resting period and form a papery sheath covering the succeeding pair of leaves during dormancy in dry, hot summer. Daisy-like flowers open during the day, are borne singly and usually have yellow, rarely purple or red, petals. A mix of 5-8 Cheiridopsis species. The mix of species varies depending on which seeds are available.

USDA Zone - 8

Season to Sow - Autumn

Carpobrotus edulis is a creeping, mat-forming succulent species and member of the Stone Plant family Aizoaceae, one of about 30 species in the genus Carpobrotus. It is also known as ice plant, Highway Ice Plant, Pigface or Hottentot Fig and in South Africa as the Sour Fig (Suurvy; earlier: Hotnosvy), on account of its edible fruit. It was previously classified in genus Mesembryanthemum and is sometimes referred to by this name. The species is native to South Africa but is naturalised in many other regions throughout the world.

Groundcover, Succulent leaves, yellow flowers turning pink, drought resistant, fruits edible. Sow Autumn.

USDA Zone - 8

Season to Sow - Autumn

Succulent plants, also known as succulents or fat plants, are water-retaining plants adapted to arid climates or soil conditions. Succulent plants store water in their leaves, stems, and also in roots. Geophytes that survive unfavourable periods by dying back to underground storage organs such as tuberous roots, corms, bulbs, and rhizomes, may be regarded as succulents. The storage of water often gives succulent plants a more swollen or fleshy appearance than other plants, a characteristic known as succulence. In addition to succulence, succulent plants variously have other water-saving features.

Clump-forming plants. The leaf sheath is cup shaped & small with solitary white/yellow/red flowers.

USDA Zone - 8

Season to sow - Autumn

Gibbaeum is a genus of about 21 species of succulent plants of the family Aizoaceae. These succulent plants growing in clumps are characterized by pairs of leaves mostly globular or sometimes thick and arcuate The sizes of the leaves of a same pair are sometimes different.

The body resembles shark's head with one long finger-shaped leaf and 1 shorter leaf with purple flowers.

USDA Zone - 9

Season to Sow - Autumn

Aloe is a genus containing about 400 species of flowering succulent plants. The most common and well known of these is Aloe vera, or "true aloe". The genus is native to Africa, and is common in South Africa's Cape Province, the mountains of tropical Africa, and neighbouring areas such as Madagascar, the Arabian peninsula, and the islands of Africa. Most Aloe species have a rosette of large, thick, fleshy leaves. The leaves are often lance-shaped with a sharp apex and a spiny margin. Aloe flowers are tubular, frequently yellow, orange, pink or red, and are borne, densely clustered and pendant, at the apex of simple or branched, leafless stems. Many species of Aloe appear to be stem less, with the rosette growing directly at ground level; other varieties may have a branched or unbranched stem from which the fleshy leaves spring. They vary in colour from grey to bright-green and are sometimes striped or mottled. Some Aloes native to South Africa are arbore scent.

A beautiful aloe with tightly packed yellow flowers that mature to a scarlet or dark orange, forming a beautiful bottlebrush inflorescence in winter.

USDA Zone - 9

Season to Sow - Spring

Pachypodium is a genus of succulent spine-bearing trees and shrubs, native to Africa. It belongs to the dogbane family, Apocynaceae.

Pachypodium saundersii, the Kudu Lily, is a succulent plant belonging to the Apocynaceae family. It is found naturally in Southern Africa, on the Lebombo Mountains and other areas in KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and Swaziland. The fastest growing of all pachypodiums and an excellent bonsai subject.

USDA Zone - 10

Season to Sow - Spring

Pachypodium is a genus of succulent spine-bearing trees and shrubs, native to Africa. It belongs to the dogbane family, Apocynaceae.

USDA Zone - 10

Season to Sow - Spring

Aloe is a genus containing about 500 species of flowering succulent plants. The most common and well known of these is Aloe vera, or "true aloe". The genus is native to Africa, and is common in South Africa's Cape Province, the mountains of tropical Africa, and neighbouring areas such as Madagascar, the Arabian peninsula, and the islands of Africa. Most Aloe species have a rosette of large, thick, fleshy leaves. The leaves are often lance-shaped with a sharp apex and a spiny margin. Aloe flowers are tubular, frequently yellow, orange, pink or red, and are borne, densely clustered and pendant, at the apex of simple or branched, leafless stems.

A stemless aloe with strongly recurved deeply channelled snake-like leaves which are bright red in the sun and green in the shade. Tubular flowers vary from yellow/orange to dull red. Flowering in the winter.

USDA Zone - 10

Season to Sow - Spring

Frailea gracillima is a species of Frailea cacti from Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay.

USDA Zone - 11

Season to Sow - Spring

Lithops is a genus of succulent plants in the ice plant family, Aizoaceae. Members of the genus are native to southern Africa. The name is derived from the Ancient Greek words lithos, meaning "stone," ops, meaning "face," referring to the stone-like appearance of the plants. They avoid being eaten by blending in with surrounding rocks and are often known as pebble plants or living stones. The formation of the name from the Greek "-ops" means that even a single plant is called a Lithops.

Brick red plants with humps surrounded by valleys or grooves and white flowers.

USDA Zone - 9

Season to sow - Spring

Aloe is a genus containing about 500 species of flowering succulent plants. The most common and well known of these is Aloe vera, or "true aloe". The genus is native to Africa, and is common in South Africa's Cape Province, the mountains of tropical Africa, and neighbouring areas such as Madagascar, the Arabian peninsula, and the islands of Africa. Most Aloe species have a rosette of large, thick, fleshy leaves. The leaves are often lance-shaped with a sharp apex and a spiny margin. Aloe flowers are tubular, frequently yellow, orange, pink or red, and are borne, densely clustered and pendant, at the apex of simple or branched, leafless stems.

Growing to 3m with stemmed rosettes and grey-green recurved foliage and a branched raceme of orange flowers in winter.

USDA Zone - 10

Season to Sow - Spring

Pachypodium is a genus of succulent spine-bearing trees and shrubs, native to Africa. It belongs to the dogbane family, Apocynaceae.

USDA Zone - 10

Season to Sow - Spring

Lithops is a genus of succulent plants in the ice plant family, Aizoaceae. Members of the genus are native to southern Africa. The name is derived from the Ancient Greek words lithos, meaning "stone," ops, meaning "face," referring to the stone-like appearance of the plants. They avoid being eaten by blending in with surrounding rocks and are often known as pebble plants or living stones. The formation of the name from the Greek "-ops" means that even a single plant is called a Lithops.

Glassy greenish & greyish colours, yellow flowers with white centres. Sow Spring.

USDA Zone - 9

Season to Sow - Spring