Spekboom – Saving the world one plant at a time!

The Spekboom, also known as elephant food, is a unique and special plant. This is a plant that can easily spread through an area and survive no matter the weather conditions. If you love plants but don’t have that special touch, this is the plant for you. An added bonus is that you will be doing your part to save the planet. This proudly South African plant has more to offer than its beautiful appearance. Here are 5 interesting facts you probably didn’t know.

Resilient

 The Spekboom is one of the easiest plants to care for. This plant will survive and even thrive with minimal effort. All this plant needs is a warm and sunny spot and it will thrive. Being water-wise makes this plant unaffected by drought and can withstand frost. This plant can live for over 6 generations. This plant could live up to 200 years and can grow up to 5 meters tall.

Carbon Sponge

This plant soaks up carbon like no other and can even put the rain forests to shame. With climate change and air pollution ever-increasing, this succulent is incredibly vital to environmental efforts. One acre of Spekboom can soak up to 10 times more emissions than one acre of rainforest. One mature Spekboom can process 4 to 8kg of carbon dioxide per year. Climate change is a real crisis and we need to do everything we can to alleviate it. 

 

Versatile

In the wild, Spekboom is known to be a great provider of shade to wildlife during the hot summer months. The Spekboom is not only handy in nature, but it can be handy in your home. This plant is commonly used as a hedge, for binding soil and preventing soil erosion. These succulents can grow as tall as a tree but it can be shaped and pruned into a mini tree. If you like small plants, the spekboom is ideal as your first bonsai, it is can be easily grown and shaped. It has so much to offer to any home; purifying your air, adding a positive ambiance and creating a great conversation topic. 

 

Easily multiplies

The Spekboom propagates easily. If a branch is broken off by a passing animal and falls to the ground, it could grow roots and become a whole new plant. If you are set on growing your own Spekboom, all you need to start is the branch of an already grown Spekboom.

 

Edible and nutritious

Spekboom is an important item in the diet of the Elephant, Kudu, and Rhino. If you are on the mountain and want a small juicy snack, you can try out the leaves of the spekboom. They are not only refreshing, but they are very nutritious. Spekboom is also commonly used as an asset to South African dishes. 

 

Let’s save the world for future generations. Accept the challenge this year and let us each plant 10 of our very own Spekboom to fight global warming.  Check out our Facebook Challenge here!

 

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