Know, grow, protect and enjoy South Africa’s indigenous plants

KNOW
GROW
Protect
ENJOY

People for Plants

There has never been a more important time to support and protect the natural wonders that grow on South African soil. The Botanical Society of South Africa (NPO 003-394) is a member-driven organisation that offers citizen scientists, amateur nature enthusiasts, the general public, and environmental experts the opportunity to join hands and be a part of the solutions to biodiversity challenges across the country. Our mission is to win the hearts, minds and material support of individuals and organisations, wherever they may be, for the conservation, cultivation, study and wise use of the indigenous flora and vegetation of South Africa. 

Know

Learn about South Africa’s diverse indigenous plant heritage, why their ecosystems matter so much, and how to conserve them in your own area. Read more.

 

Grow

Meet like-minded people who grow indigenous plants for enjoyment and conservation. Plant South African flora and watch these naturally water-wise plants create a safe haven for pollinators and wildlife at home. Read more.

Protect

Initiate, implement and maintain effective conservation efforts in rural and urban landscapes, wherever you are in South Africa, with the support of knowledgeable experts partnering with many other organisations to build our network. Read more.

 

Enjoy

From wild spaces and botanical gardens, to urban green corridors and your own backyard, our flora will ensure South Africa is a beautiful environment that brings people together with nature and each other. Read more.

Conserving our natural heritage, for all, forever

The Botanical Society was formed more than a century ago to help develop and support the country’s national botanical gardens. BotSoc’s mission has since grown to supporting plant conservation across South Africa through its branches and by working with key partners. 

 Our offices will be closed on 27, 28 and 29 December 2023 and reopen on Tuesday 2 January 2024. (Standard office hours: Mon to Fri 08:30 to 4pm, closed weekends and public holidays).

You can buy your membership online via Webtickets here.

Or get in touch with our Membership Support Officer, Candice Williams. Email c.williams@botanicalsociety.org.za,
or by telephone: 021 797 2090 during office hours.

Our Conservation Work

BotSoc champions biodiversity conservation in South Africa to protect our extraordinary plant diversity and ecosystems. 

FIND OUT MORE

Crew Programme 

KZN
STEWARDSHIP

Succulent plant crisis

Ex-situ plant collections

Latest Conservation News

Virtual plant pleasures
Virtual plant pleasures
When you are not in the field this summer, you can find your plant fix exploring SANBI’s new, free-access e-Flora
Princess Vlei | Rejoicing at rescue and regeneration
Princess Vlei | Rejoicing at rescue and regeneration
Many lichens are still mysteries to science
Many lichens are still mysteries to science
‘Nearly half of all SA lichens are still mysteries to science – we’ve been taking on the challenge and already found two new genera!’
Webinar 20 years of CREW
Webinar 20 years of CREW
We’re raising a glass to the incredible CREW team, for 20 years of plant conservation.
Haasendal Restoration: Saving fynbos
Haasendal Restoration: Saving fynbos
A recent restoration effort – a partnership between the Botanical Society national team and the Kirstenbosch branch, with FynbosLIFE and other incredible partners
Halting the illegal succulent plant trade
Halting the illegal succulent plant trade
Responding to the crisis: During 2021, South Africa’s government conservation agencies
Plant spotters to the rescue
Plant spotters to the rescue
Newer invasive species compound our existing problems – to the detriment of our country’s environment, human livelihoods and the economy.
Webinar: Plant Taxonomy
Webinar: Plant Taxonomy
Thousands of new plant species are discovered every year around the world. Others are reclassified as technology advances, more material is available in herbariums due to the efforts of collectors and we learn more.
1 2 … 8

Feel good about your Contribution to Conservation

DONATE
WHY JOIN?

Join hands with us

The Botanical Society of South Africa works to promote the conservation, cultivation, study and wise use of the indigenous flora of southern Africa for the benefit and sharing of all. Donating to BotSoc helps us to form new partnerships and mobilise resources to make worthy contributions, such as creating sustainable jobs and livelihood opportunities in South Africa’s conservation economy.
Donate Now

People for Plants

There has never been a more important time to support and protect the natural wonders that grow all over South Africa. BotSoc SA (NPO 003-394) offers citizen scientists, amateur nature enthusiasts, the general public, and environmental experts the opportunity to join hands and be a part of the solutions to biodiversity challenges across the country. Together, we are a critical mass of people uniting through our love for protecting plants. Sign up as a member today and feel good about your contribution to conservation. 
Join Now

#PlantPeople

Upcoming Events

26 January 2024

Plant Conservation Webinar

28 January 2024

Weskus branch
Disa Walk

MORE

Groot Wintershoek Wilderness Area

Latest #BotSocSA News

BotSoc Conservation Webinar: Indigenous food – From field trials to table
BotSoc Conservation Webinar: Indigenous food – From field trials to table
In our final webinar for 2023, we take a look at South Africa’s indigenous crops: at how to choose them, grow them, and also how to eat them!
20 reasons to celebrate CREW’s 20th
20 reasons to celebrate CREW’s 20th
Built on the idea that we need to know where plants are to be able to protect them, CREW began a remarkable journey in conservation 20 years ago
A garden, a yard and a branch: A Garden Route story
A garden, a yard and a branch: A Garden Route story
While the Garden Route branch is an impressive 31 years old, BotSoc itself is this year celebrating 110 years
Webinar: Inspiration for growers
Webinar: Inspiration for growers
No matter whether you have a windowsill, balcony or garden, there’s so much you can do at home to better appreciate plants and wildlife.
The soul of a hiker
The soul of a hiker
Nina du Plessis is a financial administrator but she was born with hiking in her soul
The power of palmiet
The power of palmiet
You can help restore watercourses by propagating palmiet with this step-by-step guide.

Locate your Branch

ALBANY

Free State

Limpopo

Southern Overberg

Algoa

Garden Route

KZN Coastal

Winelands

Cederberg

Gauteng

KZN Inland

Weskus

Kogelberg

Lowveld

Kirstenbosch

Hours

Monday to Friday 08h30 to 16h00. Closed on weekends and public holidays.

Contact Us

We are experiencing intermittent faults with our landlines, please phone +27 21 797 2090 or send a message to our alternate WhatsApp number if required
+27 65 922 6163.

Email Us

E info@botanicalsociety.org.za

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