Leonotis nepetifolia

Name: Leonotis nepetifolia – Lion's Tail | Medicinal & Ornamental
Brand: Leonotis
SKU: pda676
Price: 5.9 EUR
Availability: InStock

€5,90

Organic

Sustainable

Locally grown

Leonotis nepetifolia (Lion's Tail or Klip Dagga) is native to South Africa, known around the world for its multi-tiered velvety orange pompons arranged in whorls along its square stem.

The flower take the form of whorls of striking lipped flowers, that are most commonly orange, but can vary to red, white, and purple.

The leaves are a drooping dark green, very soft and serrated, growing up to 10 centimetres wide.

It is grown as an annual in our latitudes as it is frost-tender but a few simple care tips allow it to live for many years in our climate.

In its natural habitat, Lion's Tail is a perennial, reaching up to 1.5 to 2.5 m in height when grown in open ground!

Flowering	July, August, September, October
Flower Color	Orange
Exposure	Full Sun
Frost Tolerance	0
Size	Indoors
Soil	All soils but will produce larger blooms in fertile, humus-rich soil
Origin	South Africa

pda676

€5,90

6 left

🪴9x9 cm

🚂 Ships across EU
🌱 Grown in our nursery

👍 Low-maintenance
🌸 Long flowering period
💪 Medicinal

❄️ Tender Perennial
✂️ Bring inside in November and cut all the way back
🪴 Use a rich growing medium — a good compost and garden soil mix, with a little sand added to improve drainage. Position in full sun.
💦 Water more frequently than in open ground, as the compost dries out quickly in pots.

Leonotis — from the Greek leon (lion) and otis (ear), referring to the distinctive shape of the flowers, which resemble a lion's ears or mane.

nepetifolia — from Nepeta, the botanical genus of catmints, combined with folia (leaf). It means "with leaves resembling those of Nepeta," referring to the similarity between the foliage of the two plants.

Leonotis nepetifolia( klip dagga) is related to L. leonurus (wild daggaorlion's tail.)

The most noticeable difference between the two is the leaf shape.L. nepetifolialeaves are cordate with serrated edges, except the top pair which are lanceolate with serrated edges, as pictured in taxonomy box. The leaves are all lanceolate with serrated edges onL. leonurus.

In certain African cultures, Lion's Tail is considered a sacred plant associated with healing, protection and divination. It is frequently used in healing rituals and spiritual ceremonies to strengthen the connection with ancestors and spirits.

In Jamaica, it is used to make tea and valued for its medicinal properties. It is also regarded as a stimulating and mildly euphoric plant, often enjoyed at social gatherings and celebrations.

In some parts of Africa, Lion's Tail is considered a magical plant capable of warding off evil spirits and curses, and is commonly used in protective amulets and talismans. The Xhosa and Zulu peoples incorporate it into their rituals, and it has long been regarded as a lucky charm that keeps cobras at bay and treats their bites.

Other Uses
The seeds are rich in a fatty oil resembling olive oil.