Growing Hoodia Gordonii

One needs a special licensing program in order to propagate a hoodia gordonii plant which is apparently difficult. There are several varieties of hoodia cactus plant that are grown in several botanical gardens and green houses yet they might be not the hoodia gordonii variety.

Hoodia gordonii, being a highly sought after plants known for its reputation as a natural appetite suppressant, is now highly protected by the governments of Botswana, Namibia and South Africa. They were concern that there might be other species that might be mistaken as hoodia gordonii and would be harvested and used as a appetite suppressant. Thus, having a CITES permit is a must in propagating and exporting any species of hoodia cactus plant.  Even in Northern and Western Cape of South Africa, collecting any varieties of hoodia cactus plant is strictly prohibited without a valid permit. Even exporting these plants requires a phyto-sanitary certificate from the National Department of Agriculture and a CITES certificate as well. In Namibia, in order to protect all species of hoodia gordonii species in the wild, propagating is not allowed until the government reviews the species’ status.

Countries in southern Africa now take precautionary measures regarding the harvesting of this hoodia cactus plant as they might lead to the plant’s extinction. Thus, when the Council for Scientific and the Industrial Research  found out the molecule which is responsible for  the hoodia gordonii’s appetite suppressing abilities and have the Phytopharm licensed its right for further development of the said plant. They also had the Phytopharm entered into an agreement for mutual benifet sharing with the San communities, which traditionally uses these plants for its medical purposes, thus, assisting the CSIR in identifying the species.

In the wild, hoodia gordonii’s seed is propagated by the wind which carries its seed similar to how dandelion seeds were spreads thus, collecting of hoodia gordonii’s seeds from the wild interferes with the plants natural process. Growing it commercially may be beneficial to us , but may also cause an eventual extinction of these plants in the wild.