The lion’s tail is also called wild dagga or wild cannabis, because smoking of the leaves and flowers has the same calming effect (but to a lesser extend). The leaves can also be used to make a calming tea, and they are well-known in traditional medicine. It is a shrubby plant from South Africa that can reach a height of maximum 2 meters, and produces beautiful orange flowers. In nature the flowers are pollinated by birds and also attract a lot of bees and butterflies with its nectar. In temperate climates, the species can be kept as an annual, or as a perennial container plant at a minimum of 5 degC in winter. The plant prefers a sunny stand.

Sowing description: Sow the seeds superficially at 20-25 degC. Keep the soil constantly moist and let the seeds germinate in a bright spot.

Family: Lamiaceae
Scientific name: Leonotis leonurus
Common name: Lion’s tail / Wild dagga / Wild cannabis
Native to: South Africa

Sowing time: Whole year
Difficulty: Intermediate
Minimum temperature: 5 degrees Celcius