With the temperature rising, many plants tend to have yellow leaves or their leaves may droop due to the highly intense weather. There are, however, plenty of plants that thrive in these hot summer conditions. Here are a few native plants that are resilient to the summer heat.

Heat-tolerant plants

Spekboom

This easy-to-grow indigenous plant usually reaches 2 meters in height. Its small, non-invasive root system makes it perfect as a boundary shrub along pathways. With its compact structure, it’s an excellent choice for accent planting and hedges, and with regular pruning, you’ll truly see it thrive.

These green mini succulents play a vital role in combating air pollution as they are carbon sponges, effectively removing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Close up of African succulent plant of Portulacaria Afra or Spekboom Elephant Bush, natural background

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African Lily

The Agapanthus, also known as the African Lily, is a hugely popular addition to any South African garden. This is largely due to its lovely blue and white flowers, which bloom during the summer. As an evergreen plant, it is known for being hardy and can continue to flourish throughout the year, making it a great plant to have in your garden.

Path in the garden with agapanthus blue flowers. Lily of the Nile or African lily flowering plant.

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Hibiscus

The vibrant colours and distinctive stalk in the centre of the petals make hibiscus flowers a wonderful addition to any garden, particularly during hot summers. These flowers can tolerate humid conditions and thrive in warm weather. They are truly a beautiful sight, even on those sweltering summer days.

Colorful hibiscus in the garden

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The botterblom

Gerbera ambigua, known commonly as the botterblom, is a local indigenous species and a hardy garden plant. It is perfect as a ground cover that can withstand the drying sun and wind and act as a garden’s best soil protector.

It shows spectacular large crisp leaves with a silver, white felt-like underside and blooms with beautiful white flowers. Flowering is on and off throughout the year, but is most prevalent in summer. Plant it in full sun and see it visited by a variety of pollinators.

Bird of Paradise

Bird of Paradise, or Strelitzia, is an evergreen perennial widely cultivated for its dramatic, colourful flowers and structural shape. In addition to being a structural plant, the Bird of Paradise is also heat and wind-resistant and grows well in hot coastal gardens along the KZN province. With the right growth requirements, the flowers showcase orange, blue, or white flowers.

Strelitzia a.k.a. Bird of Paradise at the Stellenbosch Botanical Garden

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