Indigenous Edibles

On Livingseeds Farm, our main focus is on food crops – traditionally, we have focused on heirloom and open-pollinated vegetables. There is, however, a massive resource of real South African and international heritage food crops that have gone unnoticed by the general gardening public.

We are blessed to have a broad base of professional food gardeners who specialise in rare and unusual crops, often known as forgotten or lost crops. These growers have spent years cultivating and understanding such crops. Through their dedication, Livingseeds can supply these lost varieties to the South African gardening public.

There is a massive diversity in traditional food crops that our “Western palate” is totally out of tune with. The Western palate has a propensity for soft and sweet, often mistaking sweet for flavour. It’s gotten so bad that crops are sold solely on a Brix index – the higher the Brix, the more in demand the crop. But Brix is an indication of sweetness and not actual flavour.

Traditional food crops are seen as orphan crops as they are not seen as commercially viable. The world revolves around 4 staple crops: corn, wheat, rice, and soy bean. All of these have been bred to suit commercial requirements in terms of planting, fertilization, harvesting, processing, and consumption. Thanks to our bodies constantly being tempted with sweet, soft carbs, our palates have been damaged and our minds addled as to what food is.

Orphan crops are often not what we would expect as standard fare; however, the surprises in flavour and texture are deliciously astonishing. Even better, they come packed with nutrients, fibre, and flavours that make you wonder why you had never encountered these amazing foods before.

This year, take the plunge and plant a few indigenous edibles. Very often, these crops are limited in stock and tend to sell out quite quickly. Being subscribed to our newsletter is the best way to ensure that you get a heads-up when they come into stock.


African Potato

African Potato

Hypoxis hemerocallideaUsed in traditional African medicine and frequently found at 'muti' markets th..

R32.60

African Wormwood

African Wormwood

Artemisia afraIndigenous to South Africa, African Wormwood, Wilde-Als (Afrikaans) has been and is st..

R29.90

Cancer Bush (Kankerbossie)

Cancer Bush (Kankerbossie)

Sutherlandia frutescens (‘Karoo’)Another must-have medicinal plant this selection is of the stronges..

R28.75

Confetti Bush (Dark Pink)

Confetti Bush (Dark Pink)

Coleonema pulchellumA 1.5-2m evergreen woody shrub which is found in the wild in the Western and Eas..

R34.50

Homesteaders Aloe

Homesteaders Aloe

Aloe arborescens 'Limelight'Not nearly as famous as Aloe vera, yet just as useful in the same ways, ..

R66.30

Kei Apple

Kei Apple

Dovyalis caffraKei Apples are native to South Africa and are named after the Kei River in the Easter..

R36.80

Kluitjieskraal - False Buchu "Glentana"

Kluitjieskraal - False Buchu "Glentana"

Agathosma ovataOriginating in the Kluitjieskraal region between Tulbach, Wolseley, and Ceres, this c..

R34.50

Lowveld Chestnut

Lowveld Chestnut

Sterculia murexThe Lowveld Chestnut is a fascinating species restricted in nature to the terrain sur..

R138.00

Marula

Marula

Sclerocarya birrea spp caffraMost commonly found in Limpopo, however can also be found in Kwa-Zulu N..

R31.05

Natal Orange

Natal Orange

Strychnos spinosaAn indigenous tree to tropical and subtropical Africa which is also known as a Monk..

R32.20

Natal Plum (Num-num)

Natal Plum (Num-num)

Carissa macrocarpaAlso known as AmaTungulu. This fast growing, wind resistant and dense thorny shrub..

R34.50

Portulaca 'Miyagi'

Portulaca 'Miyagi'

Spekboom, Portulaca, Portulacaria afra 'Miyagi'Another first offering by Livingseeds to the South Af..

R40.25

Protea Sugarbush - Red

Protea Sugarbush - Red

Protea repensThis stunning protea is most commonly know as Sugarbush in English and Suikerbos in Afr..

R40.25

Shona Cabbage

Shona Cabbage

Cleome gynandraKnown as Chinsaga, Cat's Whiskers, African Spider Plant, African Cabbage.  The w..

R37.28

Sour Fig

Sour Fig

Carpobrotus edulisAlso known as Cape Fig, Ghaukum, Umgongozi. This succulent is easy to grow as a gr..

R28.75

Tassel Berry

Tassel Berry

Antidesma venosumA semi-evergreen to evergreen tree found in parts of Africa, including the Eastern ..

R34.50

Water Spinach

Water Spinach

Ipomea aquaticaAnother first by Livingseeds to the South African food gardening community, and anoth..

R41.40

Wild Dagga Orange

Wild Dagga Orange

Leonotis leonurusOne of my favourite plants in the garden, I just love a bed of orange Wild Dagga in..

R29.90

Wild Dagga White

Wild Dagga White

Leonotis leonurus A stunning white version of the Orange Wild Dagga. The brilliant white flowers mak..

R29.90

Wild Garlic

Wild Garlic

Tulbaghia violaceaeA perfect evergreen perennial to use as a landscaping plant as a filler, a border..

R29.90

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