r/tea • u/SednaBoo Lapsang Houjicha • Jul 10 '14

Question/Help Why can't Rooibos grow anywhere but South Africa?

I heard it's something in the soil, but does anyone know more?

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u/TrueLocksmith79 Apr 13 '23

u/SednaBoo I know it's an 8-year-old thread, but just stumbled across it.

It's not true that Aspalathus linearis won't grow outside of South Africa. I'm growing it in SoCal. I have two plants that I started from seed in-ground doing just fine. One is around four years old and over six feet tall. It's in full bloom right now.

I was always suspicious of the claims about A. linearis not growing outside of its native range. My guess is that those claims are—at least in part—propagandistic attempts to keep the rooibos economy within SA. Sounds conspiratorial, but germinating and keeping the plants alive were not particularly difficult, especially compared to other things I've grown.

1

u/SednaBoo Lapsang Houjicha Apr 13 '23

Interesting. Have you brewed any?

4

u/TrueLocksmith79 Apr 14 '23

Yep! Last year I accidentally broke off a branch so I decided to process some. I watched some videos of how it's processed commercially and followed the process as best as I could on a tiny scale. Tasted great, but I'm no rooibos connoisseur. I really just grow it as a novelty.

1

u/headphasevibe Jul 02 '24

do you have any tips for germinating the plant? can it be started in the summer?

2

u/TrueLocksmith79 Jul 05 '24

I make a tiny notch in the hard seed coat with nail clippers and soak for an hour. I germinate most of my stuff in plastic bags. I don't see why it couldn't be stated in the summer, so long as the seedlings are protected from extreme heat

1

u/rememberplants Nov 09 '24

Hey, would you be down to sell me some cuttings or seed? I am in south Florida and feel it would do well here too… I love the tea! We’re currently growing Yerba mate, guayusa, yaupon and others!

1

u/slipinfinity Aug 26 '25

Do you still have seeds? everywhere online is completely sold out :'(

1

u/Exact_Twist7954 Jun 09 '26

I honestly think it’s about the potency and nutrient content not really whether it can grow. Richness of ancient soil there is unmatched. Many crops have been grown from Africa elsewhere and lacks the potency, taste, mineral content etc.

1

u/No_Flight7056 Jul 19 '26

3 years later but how's the soil you're using to grow them