AGRICULTURE NEWS - Living in South Africa, we are so lucky to have such a vast spread of different climates and biomes. However, this also means that different plants will grow better or worse in different parts of the country.
Here, we have put together a guide on some of the best plants to grow in the different South African climate zones.
Subtropical climate
Areas in this climate zone are fairly humid and tend to have dry winters and summer rainfall. In South Africa, this climate zone is found in KZN and the Eastern Cape.
Fruits and vegetables
- Avocados
- Aubergine
- Cabbage
- Chillies
- Figs
- Green beans
- Lychees
- Peppers
- Spinach
- Tomatoes
Flowers and shrubs
- Begonias
- Dahlias
- Eucalyptus
- Hibiscus
- Marigolds
- Pansies
- Strelitzias
- Sunflowers
Semi-arid climate
This climate zone is located more inland, which means that it has significant changes in temperature between day and night. During winter, drought is often experienced in these areas, meaning that plants need to be able to survive extremely dry conditions. The inland areas of the Highveld and Karoo are part of this climate zone.
Fruits and vegetables
- Asparagus
- Baby marrow
- Beetroot
- Celery
- Corn
- Olives
- Peas
- Peppers
- Potatoes
- Pumpkin
Flowers and shrubs
- Aloes
- Clivias
- Geraniums
- Lavender
- Lemon balm
- Mint
- Rosemary
- Violets
Mediterranean climate
The Mediterranean climate zones have winter rainfall and dry heat in summer. These zones can also experience pretty extreme cold in winter, which stretches late into spring. The Western Cape and its surroundings fall under the Mediterranean climate zone.
Fruits and vegetables
- Artichokes
- Beans
- Beetroot
- Cucumber
- Figs
- Grapes
- Lemons
- Oranges
- Quince
- Tomatoes
Flowers and shrubs
- Agapanthus
- Bougainvilleas
- Dahlias
- Geranium
- Jasmine
- Lavender
- Lillies
- Sage
