Wildflower Nursery

Indigenous Plants for a Sustainable Future

  • Home
  • About Us
    • Grassland Biome Experts
    • Who We Work With
    • Services and Products
    • Project Portfolio
  • Indigenous Library
  • Articles
  • e-Newsletter
  • Contact

Noltea africana

by Johan Wentzel

Noltea africana
Common Name
Soap dogwood
Plant Type
Tree
Noltea africana is a very hardy, evergreen, very fast growing, small tree with glossy, leaves and purple stems. A decorative tree that is ideal for the smaller garden.
Plant Description

The pretty Noltea africana is becoming very popular as a landscaping tree, due to its versatility.

Evergreen, the fast growing Soap dogwood can grow to a height of 2 to 5 m, depending on climatic conditions.  Indigenous to South Africa, Noltea africana is best known for its glossy foliage.  The leaves have a finely toothed margin with a dark green colour on top and paler green underneath.  New growth has a reddish colour and the branchlets are purplish red in colour.  Interestingly, the leaves and twigs become soapy when rubbed in water, hence the common name.

Small, white flowers are visible on the tree from July to September and are borne in loose clusters, attracting insects and birds to the garden.  The flowers are followed by fruits in the shape of woody capsules that split to release the tiny, black seeds in early summer.

Noltea africana is hardy and frost resistant, making the tree a good specimen for the Highveld where it provides a splash of colour in the otherwise brown, winter landscape.  Ideal for a small garden, the tree grows well in sun or semi-shade and is often useful for screening or windbreak purposes.

Noltea africana grows well in sun and semi-shade.

You may find stock of this plant at Random Harvest.

Afrikaanse Naam
Seepblinkblaar
Hardiness
Very hardy
Position
Sun
Water Requirements
Water wise
Evergreen
Evergreen
Growth Rate
Fast
Flowering Time
Spring
Flower Colour
White
Shape
Upright
Soil
Loam
Plant Size
5m
Region
Eastern Cape
Habitat
Riverine
Grown by Wildflower Nursery
Yes

Contact Us

Johan – 082 801 1741
[email protected]

Annette – 082 908 6591
[email protected]

Subscribe to our Monthly e-Newsletter

* indicates required

Indigenous Plant Palette Selector

Use the Indigenous Plant Palette Selector to create a list of plants for your specific needs.

Search the Plant Database

Copyright © 2025 · Lifestyle Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · Powered by ITM Web Development · Log in