Plants
African Hemp
Sparrmannia africana · Malvaceae
The African hemp is one of those plants you remember from your grandparents' house — and that is exactly why it is back in demand. Its large, velvety, light green leaves resemble linden foliage, but grow at record speed into a stately indoor tree. If you have space and a bright, rather cool room, you get one of the most characterful green plants of all.
- Light
- Bright and airy, no harsh midday sun; tolerates and loves cool rooms.
- Watering
- Thirsty — water generously in the growing season, much more sparingly in winter.
- Care level
- Medium
- Botanical
- Sparrmannia africana
The African hemp is not related to the true linden tree — it belongs to the mallow family. The name comes solely from its heart-shaped, softly hairy leaves, which grow up to 25 centimetres and instantly make rooms feel homely.
Its growth is impressive: under good conditions it adds a metre or more per year and reaches two to three metres indoors. A bold prune in spring keeps it compact and bushy — no need to be afraid of it, it reliably shoots again.
It shows its little miracle in winter: plants kept cool produce white flowers with a tuft of yellow-and-purple stamens that visibly move when touched — a pollination trick that amazes even the children in our shop.
For pet households the African hemp is a relaxed choice: it is considered non-toxic to cats and dogs. What matters most is the location — bright and airy, ideally a cool stairwell or a conservatory of the kind you often find in Düsseldorf's old town quarters.
Is African Hemp toxic to children and pets?
- Children
- Non-toxic
- Cats
- Non-toxic
- Dogs
- Non-toxic
The African hemp is considered non-toxic to cats, dogs and children. The soft leaves are hairy but harmless — a good choice for family and pet households.
Typical symptoms: No poisoning symptoms expected; large nibbled amounts may at most cause slight stomach irritation.
Overview: toxic & non-toxic plants for cats, dogs and children
Care
- 01Place it bright and airy, without harsh midday sun — cool rooms around 15–18 °C are ideal.
- 02Water generously during the growing season; the large leaves transpire a lot of water.
- 03Keep it cool (10–15 °C) and slightly drier in winter — this encourages flowering.
- 04Prune hard in spring and repot into a larger pot every year.
- 05Check regularly for whitefly, especially in warm, dry spots.
Frequently asked
- Why is my African hemp drooping its leaves?
- Usually it is simply thirst: the large, soft leaves transpire an enormous amount of water. After watering it often perks up within a few hours. If it permanently stands too warm, a cooler spot helps.
- Does the African hemp really flower?
- Yes — but only if it spends the winter cool at around 10–15 °C. From late winter it then produces white flowers with mobile yellow-and-purple stamens. In permanently warm living rooms it usually will not flower.
- How big does an African hemp get?
- A good two to three metres indoors — and surprisingly quickly. With an annual prune in spring you easily keep it at living-room size and get a bushier plant at the same time.
- Is African hemp toxic to cats?
- No, it is considered non-toxic to cats and dogs. It is also safe for households with small children — nibbled leaves are no cause for concern.