Clivia miniata – St. John’s Lily (Belgian Hybrid)
This striking indigenous perennial produces clusters of vivid orange trumpet-shaped flowers from late winter into spring (July–September in Cape Town), bringing a burst of colour when most gardens are still resting. Perfect for shady beds, under trees, or as a feature in containers, it thrives in semi-shade to full shade with humus-rich soil. A water-wise choice, it’s ideal for indigenous, indoor, and ornamental gardens, offering year-round lush green foliage and seasonal brilliance. Add timeless elegance to your garden with the St. John’s Lily (Clivia miniata).

Why You’ll Love It

• Spectacular orange blooms in late winter and spring
• Evergreen glossy foliage for year-round appeal
• Thrives in shady spots where few plants flourish
• Indigenous and water-wise, perfect for Cape gardens
• Excellent for pots, borders, and under-tree planting

Plant & Care

Plant in well-drained, humus-rich soil in a shady or semi-shady position. Water moderately, allowing soil to dry slightly between waterings. Feed with a balanced fertilizer in spring to encourage strong flowering. Remove spent flower stalks to tidy the plant and promote fresh growth. Protect from direct harsh sun, which can scorch leaves.

Did You Know?

In African tradition, Clivias are believed to bring prosperity and good fortune when planted near the home, a living symbol of abundance and health.

Bamboo Palm is a beautiful, evergreen, multi-stemmed palm with feathery, arching leaves that creates a stunning tropical display. This popular houseplant adds instant tropical elegance to living rooms, office reception areas, patios, and shaded garden spaces while serving as an excellent natural air purifier. The graceful, clumping growth habit and golden-yellow stems make it perfect for creating privacy screens or focal points in semi-shaded areas. Plant 2-3m apart for screening or use as specimen trees in containers and garden beds. Feed monthly during growing season with a balanced palm fertilizer and enrich soil with quality compost for optimal growth. The Bamboo Palm benefits from occasional misting to increase humidity, especially when grown indoors. Learn how to plant a tree the right way for successful palm establishment, or discover how to choose the perfect tree for your garden with tropical palms like Bamboo Palm.

A beautiful fern with dramatic leathery and glossy foliage. Compact grower, suitable for a shady spot. Doesn't tolerate strong wind. When grown indoors ensure that it is not in a centrally heated home. It requires a light position out of direct sunlight. Can be grown in a relatively small container and should be watered  moderately.

This striking palm-like plant produces elegant fronds year-round, with its slow-growing nature making it a timeless feature in any garden. In Cape Town’s climate, it thrives best during the warm summer months, with new fronds unfurling in late spring to early summer. Perfect for ornamental landscaping, container planting, and dramatic focal points, the Japanese Sago Palm is versatile and hardy. It flourishes in full sun to semi-shade, tolerating coastal conditions and adding a tropical flair to both indoor and outdoor spaces. Bring a touch of the exotic to your garden with the Japanese Sago Palm Cycas revoluta.

Why You’ll Love It

• Striking, glossy fronds that resemble a tropical palm.
• Low-maintenance and drought-tolerant once established.
• Perfect for pots, patios, and feature planting.
• Adds architectural elegance to modern and classic gardens.
• Long-lived, becoming more beautiful with age.

Plant & Care

Plant in well-draining soil and water moderately, allowing the soil to dry slightly between watering. Position in full sun or semi-shade for best growth. Prune away old fronds at the base to maintain a neat appearance. Protect from frost in colder months, and feed lightly in spring to encourage fresh frond growth

Did You Know?

Despite its palm-like appearance, the Japanese Sago Palm is not a true palm at all, it belongs to the cycad family, an ancient group of plants that dates back to the time of the dinosaurs!

An elegant and decorative palm, ideal for pool areas and small gardens. A slender medium-sized palm with a single stem that is topped with a crown of leaves that can each be up to 2.5 m long. Attractive when planted  along a driveway. Flowers in summer followed by red berry fruit. Fabulous in pots.

Cocos Palm is a majestic evergreen palm that's popular for creating impressive height along driveways, in parks, commercial landscapes, and home gardens where tropical elegance is desired. This stunning palm features gracefully arching feathery fronds that create perfect tropical ambiance and natural screening. The Queen Palm produces drooping cream flowers in summer followed by decorative orange dates in winter, adding seasonal interest to your landscape. Plant 4-5m apart for avenue plantings or use as specimen trees in garden beds and courtyards. Feed quarterly during growing season with a specialized palm fertilizer and enrich soil with quality compost for optimal growth. For young palms, provide support with tree stakes and secure with tree ties until well established. Apply pine mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Keep grass and weed-eaters away from the trunk to prevent decay and damage. Learn how to plant a tree the right way for successful palm establishment, or discover how to choose the perfect tree for your garden with tropical palms like Queen Palm.

This evergreen, structural plant forms a bulbous trunk-like stem, resembling an elephants foot. The swollen base stores water and makes this an ideal waterwise option.  It's drought tolerant and hardy. Can be grown as an indoor plant but will require bright light. Will grow slower in a container than in the ground. Use potting soil that drains well. Waterwise, tough and ideal for a patio. 

Long leaves unfold from the heart of the fern which is covered in chocolate coloured hairs resembling a bird's nest.  One of the best places to keep this fern is near a shower or bath where it will receive optimal humidity. It is best to keep sufficient space around the leaves as the edges are easily damaged. Can also be grown in the garden in filtered light. Do not water directly into the rosette to prevent rot. This low-maintenance beauty performs best in well-draining soil. 

Pygmy Date Palm (Phoenix Roebelenii) is an elegant evergreen miniature date palm that creates a tropical atmosphere with its dense crown of delicate, arching fronds that sway gracefully in the breeze. Perfect for adding exotic appeal to patios, courtyards, or as an indoor statement plant in bright, indirect light.

Why You'll Love It:
• Perfect for adding exotic appeal to patios and courtyards
• Excellent as an indoor statement plant in bright, indirect light
• Works beautifully individually in large containers
• Can be grouped with other palms for lush tropical display
• Compact size ideal for smaller spaces
• Low maintenance once established
• Year-round visual interest

Planting & Care:
Plant 2-3m apart when grouping multiple palms to allow proper air circulation and showcase each palm's natural form. Thrives in sun to semi-shade outdoors or bright indirect light indoors with well-drained soil. Feed monthly during growing season with a balanced palm fertilizer to maintain healthy frond development and rich green color, reducing feeding frequency for indoor specimens.

One of the most sought after indoor palms in the world, for good reason. The love palm thrives in homes and workplaces where other indoor plants might not do as well.

The foliage of this stunning fern looks like emerald green flames.  An easy to care for houseplant, but do water regularly.  Ideal for a window sill with filtered light or a humid spot in the house or office.

Cyathea brownii  Norfolk Tree Fern The Norfolk Tree Fern is one of the most majestic ferns in cultivation, often described as a living relic from the age of dinosaurs. With its towering trunk covered in fibrous scales and a crown of arching, feathery fronds that can reach 3-4m long, it creates an atmosphere of primeval grandeur in shaded gardens. Native to Norfolk Island in the South Pacific, this species is the tallest tree fern in the world, capable of reaching 12-20m in height under ideal conditions. In Cape Town’s climate, it thrives in semi‑shade to full shade, preferring sheltered, humid spots where its fronds can unfurl dramatically. It is perfect for tropical, woodland, or fern gardens, where it becomes an instant focal point and evokes a sense of timeless beauty. Note: Tree ferns require consistent moisture and humidity. They are not drought‑tolerant and should be watered regularly, especially during Cape Town’s dry summer months.

Why You’ll Love It

• Tallest tree fern in the world, with dramatic fronds.
• Creates a lush, prehistoric aura in shaded gardens.
• Perfect for tropical and woodland landscapes.
• Evergreen presence with year‑round architectural impact.
• A rare and prized collector’s plant.

Plant & Care

Plant in rich, well‑drained soil with plenty of organic matter. Position in semi‑shade or full shade, sheltered from strong winds. Water generously and maintain humidity, especially in summer (December-March). Mulch around the base to retain moisture and protect roots. Avoid direct, harsh sun which can scorch fronds. Tree ferns benefit from regular misting and feeding with diluted liquid fertilizer during the growing season.

Did You Know?

The Norfolk Tree Fern is considered a “living fossil,” with ancestors dating back over 300 million years. Its towering trunk is not woody but made of tightly packed fibrous roots, which store water and allow the plant to survive in humid forest environments. On Norfolk Island, mature specimens can reach heights rivaling small trees, making them the largest tree ferns on Earth. Owning one is like bringing a piece of ancient forest history into your garden.

The 'Shiva' Fern is a lush, tropical houseplant known for its full, upright shape and finely textured, arching fronds. Its rich green foliage creates a soft, elegant look that instantly adds freshness to indoor spaces. More structured than the common Boston Fern, the 'Shiva' stands out with its tidy growth habit and vibrant color, making it a striking feature in any pot or hanging basket.

A graceful indoor and patio palm that brings lush tropical greenery to shaded spaces. Known as the Reed Palm, this clumping variety forms slender, bamboo-like stems topped with elegant fronds. It thrives in semi-shade and is especially valued for its air-purifying qualities indoors. In Cape Town’s Western Cape climate, expect subtle yellow flower spikes in late spring to summer (October–January), followed by small black berries that mature in mid to late summer (January–March).

Why You’ll Love It

• Elegant, feathery fronds that create a soft, tropical look.
• Compact clumping habit, perfect for pots, patios, or shaded garden beds.
• Tolerates lower light, making it one of the best indoor palms.
• Produces delicate yellow flower spikes in summer.
• Small black berries add seasonal interest.
• Excellent natural air purifier indoors.
• Easy-care and resilient in Cape Town’s mild climate.
• Provides year-round greenery without fuss.
• Adds a calming, tropical atmosphere to any space.

Planting & Care

Plant in semi-shade or bright indirect light, avoiding harsh midday sun. Use well-draining soil enriched with compost. Water regularly to keep soil lightly moist, but never soggy. Feed with a balanced fertiliser during the growing season to encourage lush foliage. Remove old stems at the base to keep the clump neat and healthy.

Did You Know?

The Reed Palm is one of NASA’s top-rated plants for indoor air purification. It helps filter toxins while adding beauty to your living space.

Neodypsis decaryi, commonly called the Triangle Palm, is a rare and eye-catching palm from Madagascar. Its name comes from the unique triangular arrangement of its leaf bases, giving the trunk a striking geometric look. With graceful, arching fronds and a sculptural form, it makes a bold statement in Cape Town gardens, whether planted as a specimen tree or in large containers.

Bring instant drama and elegance to your garden with the Triangle Palm, a rare and sculptural palm from Madagascar. Its name comes from the unique triangular arrangement of leaf bases, which creates three vertical planes around the trunk. A natural geometric design that looks like living architecture.

In Cape Town’s Mediterranean climate, the Triangle Palm thrives in full sun and well‑drained soil, rewarding you with lush, evergreen fronds that arch gracefully year‑round. Flowering occurs in summer to autumn (December-April), producing clusters of small yellow blooms followed by decorative black fruits. Its bold form makes it perfect as a focal point in modern landscapes, poolside plantings, or coastal gardens, where it tolerates wind and salt spray with ease.

This palm is not just a plant. It's a statement piece that transforms any outdoor space into a tropical retreat.

Why you’ll love it

• Architectural beauty: Distinct triangular trunk sets it apart from other palms
• Exotic flair: Adds a tropical, sculptural presence to any garden
• Container friendly: Grows well in large pots for patios and courtyards
• Resilient: Handles Cape Town’s coastal conditions and summer heat
• Low maintenance: Requires minimal care once established

Planting & care

Plant in full sun with well-draining soil to encourage strong growth and healthy fronds. Water regularly while young, then reduce frequency as the palm becomes more drought-tolerant. A slow-release fertilizer in spring supports lush foliage, and occasional trimming of old fronds keeps it tidy. Protect from severe frost, though it tolerates Cape Town’s mild winters well. With space to grow, it develops into a striking specimen that draws attention year-round.

Did you know?

The Triangle Palm is so named because its leaf bases spiral around the trunk in three distinct vertical rows, forming a triangular shape. A natural design feature that makes it one of the most unusual palms in cultivation.

The Bismarckia Palm is one of the most majestic and architectural palms you can grow. Native to Madagascar, it is instantly recognisable by its massive, fan‑shaped leaves in a striking silvery‑blue colour. Each leaf can span over a metre across, creating a bold, sculptural presence that transforms any garden into a tropical showpiece. In Cape Town’s Mediterranean climate, the Bismarckia Palm thrives in full sun with well‑drained soil. It is best planted in spring (September-November) or early summer (December), when conditions encourage strong root establishment. Flowering occurs in summer (December-February), producing small, cream‑coloured blooms followed by decorative brown fruits. Its evergreen fronds provide year‑round drama, while its slow but steady growth ensures it becomes a long‑lasting feature in the landscape. Typical uses include ornamental specimen planting, focal points in large gardens, avenue plantings, and poolside landscaping. Its silvery foliage contrasts beautifully with green plantings, making it a favourite among collectors and designers. A true statement plant, the Bismarckia Palm brings grandeur, resilience, and timeless beauty to Cape Town gardens.

Why You’ll Love It

• Striking silvery‑blue fan leaves for dramatic impact.
• Evergreen foliage provides year‑round tropical appeal.
• Hardy and drought‑tolerant once established.
• Perfect as a specimen palm or avenue planting.
• Adds grandeur and architectural beauty to large gardens.

Plant & Care

Plant in full sun in well‑drained soil during spring or early summer. Water regularly during establishment, then reduce as the palm becomes drought‑tolerant. Feed with a balanced fertilizer in spring to encourage healthy growth. Remove old fronds to maintain a clean trunk and highlight its bold crown. Protect young palms from frost, though mature specimens are relatively hardy.

Did You Know?

In its native Madagascar, it grows on open plains, which explains its love of full sun and dry conditions. Its silvery foliage is not only ornamental but also helps reflect sunlight, reducing water loss, a clever adaptation that makes it perfectly suited to Cape Town’s water‑wise gardens.