Hoodia Plant Care
Hoodia gordonii (Masson) Sweet ex Decne.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Hoodia gordonii, also known as Bushman's hat, is a leafless spiny succulent plant supposed to have therapeutic properties in folk medicine. It grows naturally in Botswana, South Africa and Namibia.
Every 14–21 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
20–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Hoodia?
Water Hoodia every 14–21 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 20–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season.
What Is the Hoodia?
Hoodia (Hoodia gordonii) belongs to the Apocynaceae family within the Hoodia genus. Hoodia is also known as Bushman's Hat, Ghaap.
Hoodia displays a low clumping succulent growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Hoodia produces star-shaped flowers in shades of pink, white, or purple.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Hoodia?
Hoodia gordonii requires watering every 14–21 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 14–21 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Hoodia Need?
Hoodia thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Hoodia Prefer?
Hoodia gordonii grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Hoodia prefers humidity levels of 20–60%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
20–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Hoodia?
Sandy, well-draining soil mix with gravel and perlite. Good drainage is essential for Hoodia to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Hoodia?
Feed Hoodia every 8 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 8 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Hoodia?
Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Hoodia?
Hoodia can be propagated through stem cuttings, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to hoodia plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Hoodia Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Hoodia, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Hoodia?
Hoodia is susceptible to mealybugs, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Hoodia Need?
Hoodia grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Hoodia as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Hoodia is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Hoodia genus — compare its care with other Hoodia species on PlantoScan.
Hoodia is part of the Apocynaceae plant family — browse all Apocynaceae genera and species.
Hoodia thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Hoodia gordonii (Masson) Sweet ex Decne., family Apocynaceae (first published in Prodr. 8: 665 (1844)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Hoodia, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
Identify Plants Like the
Hoodia Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species