Kanker Bossie (Cancer Bush)

Cancer Bush (Lessertia frutescens, historically known as Sutherlandia frutescens) is one of Southern Africa’s most visually striking and culturally significant native shrubs. Also known as the Balloon Pea or Kankerbos, this fast-growing sub-shrub commands attention with its delicate, silvery-green pinnate foliage and brilliant scarlet-red pea flowers. As the fiery blossoms fade, they make way for large, papery, inflated seed pods that turn translucent and rustle softly in the wind, providing multi-season visual interest in the garden.

​Beyond its ornamental charm, Cancer Bush plays a vital role in wildlife-friendly landscapes. The drooping, nectar-rich crimson blossoms act as a natural beacon for sunbirds, honeybees, and beneficial pollinators throughout the blooming season. The plant also carries a profound ethnobotanical legacy across Southern Africa, where it has been cherished for generations by indigenous Khoisan communities and traditional herbalists as an adaptogenic tonic and restorative botanical.

​In the garden, Cancer Bush thrives as a hardy, low-maintenance perennial reaching a mature height and spread of roughly one meter. True to its arid and semi-arid scrubland origins, it performs best in full sun and lean, sandy, exceptionally well-drained soil. It is remarkably drought-tolerant once established, making it a natural choice for xeriscaping, coastal planting, rockeries, or Mediterranean-style borders where water conservation and resilience are key.

​Growing Cancer Bush from seed is straightforward with a little simple preparation. The seeds possess a hard, protective outer coat that benefits from scarification—either a gentle nick to the shell or an overnight soak in warm water until swollen. Sow the prepared seeds about a quarter-inch deep into a gritty, free-draining seed mix, keeping the medium warm and lightly moist. Seedlings typically emerge within two to three weeks and should be transplanted gently to avoid disturbing their developing taproots.

​Please note: These seeds are offered for ornamental gardening, botanical collections, and landscape cultivation. Always consult a qualified medical herbalist or healthcare practitioner before preparing or ingesting any traditional botanical remedies.