HAPPY BY NATURE

18/04/2026

Healing Landscapes: The UCT Water Garden

We’ve just completed Phase 2 of our work at the UCT Faculty of Health Sciences, and it’s a project close to our hearts.
Our mission at HAPPY BY NATURE is to place Nature back at the center of our healthcare system. This phase involved creating an indigenous water garden - home to 58 species, many of which carry a long history of traditional medicinal use.
More than just planting: This was a day of shared wisdom. Traditional Health Practitioners (THPs), medical students, lecturers, and staff all got their hands in the soil together, sharing knowledge.

Want to learn more about the medicinal plants used in this project? Sign up for our newsletter (Link in bio) to learn how to create your own indigenous medicine garden. We can also help you design and install one, or you can book a private Indigenous First-Aid workshop to discover the practical healing properties of local plants and craft your own natural remedies to take home.

📍Visit the Nursery: 83 Kloof Nek Rd | Kirstenbosch Gardens Gate 2 (Free entrance to nursery)



TraditionalHealing LivingLandscapes CapeTownNursery

13/04/2026

After years of learning what makes Cape Town indigenous gardens thrive, we are putting together a series of guides for our community.

We share these indigenous gardening resources for FREE via our monthly newsletter. When you sign up, we’ll send you our first three guides to get you started:
Creating an Indigenous Butterfly Garden: A complete guide to host and nectar plants for the Cape.
The PSHB Overview: Essential biology and management of the Shot-Hole Borer in our city.
The Indigenous Tree Spreadsheet: A detailed tool to help you choose PSHB-resilient trees for your space.

No fluff or spam — just the local wisdom and monthly “what’s looking good” updates you need to help your garden flourish.

Tap the link in our bio to signup to our newsletter and receive your free guides.

04/04/2026

Plant Stories of the Cape: Pelargonium graveolens

Did you know many of the Cape’s iconic flora have been used for medicine, fragrance, and ceremony for generations?

This week we’re celebrating Pelargonium graveolens (Rose-scented Pelargonium). Commonally known as Rose Geranium, this indigenous beauty is famous for leaves that release a sweet rose-citrus scent when touched.

Why we love it:
Aromatic Support: Its volatile compounds are associated with a calming effect and may help support emotional and hormonal balance.
Traditional Wisdom: traditionally used to help soothe inflammation and promote wound healing.
Pollinator Magnet: Its nectar-rich flowers are a vital food source for local bees and butterflies.

The Full Experience:
✨ In the Bottle: We’ve just launched a range of scents! Used as a "heart note," it’s a sophisticated way to wear the essence of the Cape.
✨ In the Garden: A hardy, water-wise evergreen. It thrives in moist, semi-shaded positions.
✨ In the Pantry: Our Rose Geranium infused milk chocolate is quickly becoming a favorite gift (or a treat for yourself!).
✨ In the Teacup: Our dried loose-leaf tea makes for a calming, fragrant brew.
✨ In the Bathroom: Our Hand & Body Wash captures its natural cleansing properties.
✨ In the Burner: Our steam-distilled essential oil is perfect for creating a peaceful space.

Care Summary:
Light: Semi-shade to full sun.
Soil: Well-drained, loamy soil with compost.
Pro-Tip: Easy to grow from cuttings! Pinch back growing tips regularly for a bushy, lush shape.

Our Happy Plants – Indigenous, organically-grown, and sourced from partners who prioritize Nature.
Services – We offer plant sourcing, delivery, planting, and irrigation installation.

Workshop: Want to learn to use Rose Geranium as a "middle note"? Gather friends and book a Private Fynbos Fragrance Workshop to blend your own signature scent.

📍 Visit us: 83 Kloof Nek Rd | Kirstenbosch Gardens Gate 2 (Free nursery entrance)

Disclaimer: Educational purposes only; not medical advice. Not intended to diagnose, treat, or cure. Consult a healthcare provider before use. Not for use during pregnancy or lactation.

04/04/2026

As we move deeper into the Cape autumn, the landscape begins to soften and the days cool down. These water-wise groundcovers and creepers are currently putting on a brilliant show. Ranging from rapidly cascading succulents to intricately branched, aromatic shrublets, these vibrant pink bloomers provide you with highly versatile, resilient landscaping solutions that double as vital, late-season nectar buffets for our local bees and butterflies.

Crassula spathulata - trailing crassula

this creeping indigenous succulent creates a lush, cascading carpet perfect for softening retaining walls or covering bare patches in varying light conditions.

Geranium incanum - carpet geranium

The sprawling indigenous perennial rapidly establishes a finely textured, weed-suppressing mat that cascades elegantly over garden edges.

Pelargonium abrotanifolium - southernwood-leaf pelargonium

Drought-hardy, intricately branched shrublet forms a compact, aromatic cushion ideal for challenging, dry borders and water-wise rockeries.

Ocimum labiatum - pink sage

Highly adaptable to both sun and dappled shade, its strongly aromatic leaves and abundant autumn display of shell-like pink flowers create an irresistible, low-maintenance draw for neighborhood bees.

Oscularia caulescens - dassievygie

This fast-growing, cascading succulent is an absolute champion when it comes to draping over hot terrace walls or rapidly binding dry, rocky embankments.

Lampranthus coccineus - red vygie

This sun-loving succulent thrives in hot rockeries and excels at quickly stabilizing dry embankments with its dense, water-wise growth.

Our Happy Plants – Indigenous, organically-grown, and sourced from wholesale nurseries and small growers who prioritize Nature and implement eco-friendly practices to ensure plants are healthy and resilient.

Services – plant sourcing, ordering, and delivery, as well as planting and irrigation installation.

Visit us at HAPPY BY NATURE
83 Kloof Nek Rd | Kirstenbosch Gardens Gate 2 (free entrance)

26/03/2026

21/03/2026

Saturday morning sorted 🌿

Whether you’re looking to refresh your garden with hardy indigenous plants or searching for that perfect locally-made meaningful gift, HAPPY BY NATURE’S doors at and are open.

Pop in for:
•⁠ ⁠Indigenous plants for your garden
•⁠ ⁠Locally made h**p totes, tea towels, purses & everyday essentials
•⁠ ⁠Meaningful, nature-inspired gifts

Whether you’re browsing, gifting, or just soaking in the space - it’s a good day to visit.

13/03/2026

Garden Week 2026 at Happy by Nature 🌿

What a beautiful week of sharing knowledge, plants, and community.

Our medicinal plant and gardening workshops were filled with curious minds and green hands.

Thank you to everyone who joined us 💚

12/03/2026

From the African Violet family, indigenous Streptocarpus flowers all year long.

11/03/2026

It’s planting season in the Cape.

The very best time for Capetonians to plant, especially Proteas, Pincushions and Conebushes. Winter rains give plants time to establish deep roots before the heat of next summer.

Also in stock: a beautiful range of indigenous autumn bulbs including Watsonia, Freesia, Lachenalia and more.

Need guidance? Chat to our team of experienced horticulturists about the right plants for your specific soil and light conditions.

Visit us at HAPPY BY NATURE
83 Kloof Nek Rd | Kirstenbosch Gardens Gate 2 (free entrance to the nursery)

PlantingSeason

19/02/2026

From 9–13 March, enjoy free access to Kirstenbosch Botanical Garden and make it even more meaningful with us at Gate 2.

To celebrate, HAPPY BY NATURE is offering:
🌱 5% off all indigenous plants (9–13 March)
🌿 Free 5-minute Indigenous Plant Talks
Monday, Wednesday, Thursday & Friday
11am & 2pm

Learn how to choose, grow and care for the plants that make our region so special and take a piece of Kirstenbosch home with you.

Pop in after your walk.
Bring a friend.
Ask questions.
Leave inspired.
Gate 2 | 9–13 March

12/02/2026

Roses are red…
ours are indigenous. 🌸

This Valentine’s Day, say it with our milk chocolate infused with Rose Geranium (Pelargonium graveolens), handcrafted in Cape Town.

Or gift the full Pelargonium graveolens offering:
🍫 Fynbos milk chocolate
🌿 A living Pelargonium graveolens plant
🧴 Essential oil or soap