South Africa’s iconic rooibos plant is preparing for a landmark journey beyond Earth, with its seeds scheduled to travel to the International Space Station (ISS) later this year as part of a scientific programme examining how plants respond to space conditions.
The mission will mark the first time an indigenous South African plant species, and the first seed from the African continent, has been sent into space for research, highlighting both the country’s agricultural heritage and its growing contribution to international scientific collaboration.
First African Indigenous Seeds To Be Tested In Space
The South African Rooibos Council (SARC) announced that rooibos seeds will be launched to the International Space Station in October through a mission facilitated by MaxIQ Space.
The seeds are expected to remain aboard the station for at least six weeks inside a specialised nanolab before returning to Earth between December and January.
According to SARC Director Dawie de Villiers, the project aims to investigate how rooibos seeds respond to microgravity and space radiation, providing valuable information about plant adaptation beyond Earth.
The experiment forms part of a broader MaxIQ Space programme designed to encourage science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) education by allowing students to participate in real-world research conducted in orbit.
Once the seeds return to South Africa, they will be planted alongside identical control seeds that remained on Earth. Students will compare germination rates, growth patterns and other biological characteristics, contributing to international research into the effects of space environments on plant development.
Rooibos Continues To Raise South Africa’s Global Profile
Rooibos is one of South Africa’s best-known agricultural products and is grown exclusively in the Cederberg region of the Western Cape. Naturally caffeine-free and rich in antioxidants, the herbal infusion has become increasingly popular in international markets.
In 2021, the European Union granted rooibos Protected Designation of Origin (PDO) status, meaning only rooibos cultivated in South Africa’s Cederberg region may be marketed under that name within EU member states.
According to the South African Rooibos Council, the country produces an average of22,000 tonnes of rooibos annually, although production varies depending on rainfall and weather conditions.
Around half of the annual harvest is consumed locally, while the remainder is exported to more than50 countries worldwide. Key export destinations include Japan, France, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.
The upcoming mission represents a significant milestone for African scientific research and agricultural innovation, while also offering new opportunities to study how indigenous plant species may contribute to future food production during long-duration space exploration.
Source: AFP, South African Rooibos Council (SARC)