Why it’s a good idea to incorporate spekboom into your home or garden.
It's a good idea to incorporate spekboom into your home.
Spekboom is a pleasure in any garden, as a house plant, a hedge, a ground cover, in sun or semi-shade, for enjoyment by dedicated gardeners, or those short of budget and water.
The South African succulent has sparkling red stems, the brightest small, plump fleshy leaves and is especially lovely when it flowers in the spring.
Kayla Hovelmeier and four of her peers at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) have started a campaign to raise awareness about the spekboom and all its amazing benefits.
Hovelmeier said, “Our #WeSpekboom group is on a mission to help regreen the planet through the sharing of knowledge about the many uses of the spekboom plant, and the sharing of cuttings amongt friends and families.”
Spekboom is easy to propagate, even for amateurs, in almost any soil, and is not fussy where it is planted. It is a water-wise succulent that ,unlike many plants, thrives with little water and care.
“The leaves are also good for battling dehydration and are a rich source of Vitamin C.”
Chuma Maqanda, also from the campaign, said they hope people will be encouraged to ‘plant them and use it in their daily lives to help them and the planet’.
The ability of the plant to efficiently convert carbon dioxide into oxygen has been highlighted in recent years, adding to the list of benefits that should encourage people to incorporate the succulent into their homes and gardens.
The slightly bitter leaves can also be eaten in a variety of ways either on their own or included in a salad or pesto.
Dr Donovan Kirkwood, curator of the Stellenbosch University Botanical Gardens said, “Spekboom is a fantastic, tough, easy to grow and attractive water-wise plant for the garden, available horticulturally in a range of forms, from ground cover to tall shrubs.”
The United Nations celebrates World Environment Day on June 5, leading South Africa to celebrate National Environment Month. It is an opportunity for the country to raise and foster discussion by ‘stimulating awareness on environmental issues and challenging all to become agents for change’ which the honours students are doing with gusto.
How to make a cutting and plant Spekboom
Unlike many plants, spekboom does not require special care when taking a cutting (propagating).
- Simply break off a branch and place it in the ground, ideally in a sunny spot.
- Water the cutting only when you remember, less is more with this hardy plant.
- The more cuttings you take, the more the plant will strive to replenish itself.
- In just a year, you could have several plants from one original plant.
- Cuttings can be placed in containers or planted directly into the ground, as long as there is good drainage for water.
- Depending on what you want the spekboom to look like, place cuttings close together or further apart.
- Enjoy, especially when the gorgeous blooms also attract bees that help our ecosystems thrive.
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