🍵 Rooibos
Aspalathus linearis
tea_and_beverage
leguminous shrub
☀️ Sun
full sun
💧 Water
low (very drought-tolerant)
🗺️ Zones
[9,10,11]
🧪 Soil pH
5.0-6.5
🪴 Soil Type
well-drained, sandy, nutrient-poor
📏 Spacing
18-24 inches
📐 Height
3-6 ft
⏱️ Maturity
18 months to first harvest
Key:🤝 Grows well together❌ Keep apart☀️ Sun needs💧 Water🗺️ Hardiness zone
🤝 Companions (4)
Both fynbos legumes; same soil, climate, and cultivation
🤝 ericoid mycorrhizal plants (blueberry, cranberry)
Share the same specialized soil fungi in acidic conditions
🤝 protea
Fynbos companion , both thrive in nutrient-poor, acidic sandy soil
⚠️ Keep Apart (1)
⚠️ plants needing rich/alkaline soil
Rooibos REQUIRES acidic, nutrient-poor conditions
📝 Growing Notes
Grows ONLY in Cederberg region of South Africa , one of most geographically restricted crops. As legume, fixes nitrogen. Fertilizer and lime kill it.
🛒 Buy Seeds & Plants
Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds
Johnny's Selected Seeds
Botanical Interests
True Leaf Market
Burpee
Territorial Seed Company
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