Overview

Agathosma is a plant with a bushy habit in the genus Agathosma, part of the Rutaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Agathosma grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H3. Suggested uses include mediterranean climate plants, sub-tropical and conservatory and greenhouse.

About

Agathosma is a bushy, deciduous genus within the Rutaceae family, suited to Mediterranean and sub-tropical climates. This cultivar thrives in full sun on a south-facing, sheltered aspect, favouring fertile, well-drained loam soil with a neutral pH. Hardy to UK zone H3, it is best grown in conservatories or greenhouses. Interest is primarily in spring and summer. Propagation is achieved through hardwood cuttings in autumn or semi-hardwood cuttings in summer.

About the genus

Agathosma is a genus of about 140 species of flowering plants in the family Rutaceae, native to the southern part of Africa. Common names include buchu, boegoe, bucco, bookoo, and diosma. Buchu formally denotes two herbal species, prized for their fragrance and medicinal use despite their toxicity.

Wikipedia contributors, "Agathosma", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Agathosma

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Agathosma

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil type

Loam

Soil pH

Neutral

Soil moisture

Well-drained

Aspect

South-facing

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness

H3

Plant details

Agathosma size, habit and characteristics

Habit

Bushy

Foliage

Deciduous

Suggested uses

Mediterranean climate plants, Sub-tropical, Conservatory and greenhouse

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Agathosma

Propagation

Hardwood cuttings in autumn, semi-hardwood cuttings in summer

Pest resistance

May be susceptible to aphids, capsid bugs, caterpillars, earwigs, figwort weevils, glasshouse red spider mite, leaf and bud eelworm, and mullein moth

Disease resistance

May be susceptible to honey fungus, fungal leaf spot, and virus diseases

Frequently asked questions