Cancer Bush: A Striking South African Shrub for Warm Climate Gardens
Looking for a drought-tolerant shrub that brings both beauty and wildlife appeal to your garden? Meet cancer bush (Sutherlandia frutescens), a captivating South African native that’s been winning hearts in warm climate gardens around the world. With its silvery foliage, vibrant orange-red flowers, and quirky inflated seed pods, this tough little shrub packs a lot of personality into a compact package.
What Makes Cancer Bush Special?
Cancer bush earned its common name from its traditional medicinal uses in South Africa, but don’t let that intimidate you – this plant is all about garden charm. The shrub typically grows 3-6 feet tall and wide, creating a rounded, bushy form that works beautifully as a specimen plant or grouped in Mediterranean-style landscapes.
What really sets this plant apart is its year-round interest. The soft, silver-green compound leaves provide a lovely backdrop for the show-stopping flowers that appear from late spring through fall. These bright orange-red, tubular blooms are followed by papery, balloon-like seed pods that add textural interest long after the flowers fade.
Native Range and Growing Zones
Cancer bush calls the Western and Eastern Cape provinces of South Africa home, where it thrives in the region’s Mediterranean climate. This South African heritage means it’s perfectly adapted to hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters.
In North America, cancer bush performs best in USDA hardiness zones 9-11, making it ideal for gardeners in Southern California, Florida, and similar warm, relatively frost-free regions. Gardeners in cooler zones can grow it as an annual or container plant that’s brought indoors for winter.
Why Grow Cancer Bush in Your Garden?
If you’re dealing with challenging growing conditions, cancer bush might be your new best friend. Here’s why gardeners love it:
- Extremely drought-tolerant once established
- Thrives in poor to moderately fertile soils
- Low maintenance requirements
- Attracts beneficial pollinators like bees and butterflies
- Long blooming period provides extended color
- Interesting seed pods add architectural appeal
Perfect Garden Settings
Cancer bush shines in several garden styles:
- Mediterranean gardens: Pairs beautifully with lavender, rosemary, and other drought-tolerant herbs
- Wildlife gardens: The nectar-rich flowers support pollinators while seed pods provide texture
- Water-wise landscapes: Minimal water needs make it perfect for xeriscaping
- Container gardens: Compact size works well in large pots on patios or decks
Growing Cancer Bush Successfully
The good news? Cancer bush is refreshingly easy to grow if you can provide its basic needs.
Essential Growing Conditions
- Sunlight: Full sun (6+ hours daily) for best flowering
- Soil: Well-draining soil is crucial – avoid heavy clay or waterlogged conditions
- Water: Drought-tolerant once established, but appreciates regular water during establishment
- Fertility: Actually prefers poor to moderately fertile soil – too much fertilizer reduces flowering
Planting and Care Tips
Plant cancer bush in spring after the last frost danger has passed. Dig a hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper, and backfill with native soil. Water regularly for the first few months while the plant establishes its root system.
Once established, you can practically ignore this tough shrub. It rarely needs pruning beyond removing spent flower stems if you don’t want self-seeding (though those volunteer seedlings can be quite welcome!). The plant may die back in areas that experience occasional light frost but typically rebounds from the roots.
Considerations for North American Gardeners
While cancer bush isn’t invasive, it can self-seed readily in ideal conditions. Keep an eye on seedlings if this concerns you. Since it’s not native to North America, consider complementing it with native plants that provide similar benefits to local wildlife.
For gardeners seeking native alternatives with similar drought tolerance and pollinator appeal, consider regional options like California fuchsia (Epilobium canum) in the West or native salvias throughout much of the continent.
The Bottom Line
Cancer bush offers a winning combination of beauty, toughness, and wildlife value that’s hard to beat in warm climate gardens. If you’re looking for a low-maintenance shrub that delivers months of colorful blooms and interesting texture, this South African charmer deserves a spot on your plant wish list. Just remember to choose responsibly sourced plants from reputable nurseries, and you’ll be rewarded with years of garden enjoyment from this delightful drought-tolerant beauty.
