Halleria lucida

Scientific name

This is a very useful plant for many reasons and is also easy to grow. It attracts fruit- and nectar-loving plants and has medicinal value and as a charm against evil. It was also once valued for wagon poles, tools and spear shafts and is still useful for starting fires by friction. You can grow this tree as a hedge and in a pot as well.

Sunny spot preferred; Forest, Mtn Fynbos. Size: Medium

Propagation instructions

By seed

"Halleria lucida is easily propagated by seed, and cuttings. Seed is best sown in spring to mid-summer (September to December) or in autumn (March to May), in a standard well-drained seedling mix and covered lightly with coarse sand or milled bark. The trays can be placed over bottom heat of 25 °C although this is not essential for germination to occur. Seed should germinate within 6 weeks. Seedlings can be transplanted as soon as they are large enough to handle."

By cutting

"Can also be propagated by truncheon cuttings or layering and transplants readily. Softwood or herbaceous cuttings, or heel cuttings should be taken from actively growing shoots in spring to early summer (September to November) or in autumn (March to May), treated with a rooting hormone and placed in a propagator with intermittent mist and bottom heat of 28 °C. Rooting should occur within 6 weeks, and the newly rooted cuttings require a weaning period of 1 month. Young plants may flower for the first time in their second year.