Plant Care Guides / Outdoor & Coastal / Medium shrubs
Indigenous | Moderate Care | Medium shrubs
The buchus are aromatic fynbos shrubs with fine, needle-like or small rounded leaves that release a strong, distinctive scent when brushed. They are part of the citrus family, and depending on the species, the fragrance can be anything from minty and camphor-like to a warm, earthy blackcurrant.
This covers the species you will find at the nursery: Agathosma capensis, ciliaris, apiculata and ovata 'Glentana'. They produce masses of small, starry, white to pink flowers that cover the bush and attract bees and insects. As fynbos plants they are naturally adapted to the poor, sandy, well-drained soils we have here. They handle wind and salt air, but they are fussier about soil and drainage than most shrubs on this list, which earns them the moderate care rating. They hate wet feet and rich, heavy soil.
0.5 to 1.5 m depending on species. Compact and bushy.
Moderate.
Fynbos garden, rockery, mixed indigenous border, container, aromatic garden. Lovely planted where you will brush past and release the scent.
Full sun. They need good air circulation and do not enjoy shade.
This is the critical one. They need very well-drained, sandy, acidic soil and will not tolerate heavy, waterlogged or richly composted ground. If your soil is alkaline (as much of St Francis Bay is), grow them in containers with an acidic potting mix, or plant them in raised beds with imported acidic sand.
Low to moderate once established. Water regularly while settling in, then ease off. They are drought-tolerant but not indestructible. Do not overwater; soggy soil kills them faster than drought.
Minimal. Do not use rich compost or high-phosphorus fertilisers, which can kill fynbos plants. A light feed with a low-phosphorus fertiliser designed for fynbos or proteas is safe.
Light tip pruning after flowering keeps them compact and bushy. Do not cut back into old, bare wood, which does not resprout easily.
Ask about availability. WhatsApp us to check what is currently in stock, or visit the nursery and we will help you choose the right plant for your spot.
