SKU: 22097148475

Kalahari Cactus 'Hoodia gordonii'

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Description

Kalahari Cactus 'Hoodia gordonii'The Hoodia gordonii, known as Kalahari Cactus, is a vibrant member of the genus Hoodia! This Hoodia is sometimes referred to as the cactus of the Kalahari" due to its spiky appearance and ability to store water, which are traits that are commonly associated with cacti. The Kalahari is the name of a desert located primarily in southern Africa, covering parts of Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. However, Kalahari is not a true cactus and belongs to

The  Hoodia gordonii, known as Kalahari Cactus, is a vibrant member of the genus Hoodia! This Hoodia is sometimes referred to as thecactus of the Kalahari" due to its spiky appearance and ability to store water, which are traits that are commonly associated with cacti. The Kalahari is the name of a desert located primarily in southern Africa, covering parts of Botswana, Namibia, and South Africa. 

However, Kalahari is not a true cactus and belongs to the succulent family Apocynaceae. This leafless and spiny succulent can grow up to 3 feet tall, also known as Bushman's hat or xhoba, and is like no other wonder plant you've ever seen. 


The Hoodia gordonii flowers are small, pale purple blooms that bloom from late summer to early fall.

Its flowers may make your nose wrinkle with their putrid smell resembling rotten meat but fear not because these blooms are pollinated by an unusual ally - flies.

Even though these features might seem unappealing to you, fear not, because hidden within this succulent lies a secret power: appetite suppression.

Health and Diet Uses

Kalahari Cactus has gained significant popularity as a natural diet supplement due to its ability to suppress appetite and help manage hunger. Traditionally used by the San people of the Kalahari Desert to fend off hunger during long hunting trips, Hoodia gordonii is now widely marketed as a weight loss aid. The plant contains an active compound called P57 hoodia, which is believed to influence the brain's hunger signals, helping individuals feel fuller for longer.

Due to its reputation for supporting weight management, Hoodia gordonii is frequently used in various diet products, such as capsules, powders, and teas. While it is a popular choice for those looking to control cravings and reduce calorie intake, it is essential to combine it with a balanced diet and regular exercise for the best results. As with any supplement, consulting with a healthcare professional before use is recommended, especially for those with underlying health conditions.

With its clumps of upright stems adorned with tan flowers and thorns acting as nature's warning signpost, there's no way this vibrant plant will go unnoticed in your desert landscape. 

When and How to Water your Hoodia gordonii 

Hoodia gordonii is a succulent plant that can survive with minimal water, but it still needs some water to grow and stay healthy. If the plant is underwatered, it may start to wilt or develop brown spots on its leaves. It may also stop growing or flowering.

On the other hand, if the plant is overwatered, it can develop root rot, which can be fatal. Often, people worry they aren't giving their plants enough water when in reality, they are over-watering them. This is especially the case with Hoodia, as they don't do well in moist soil, which can result in root rot.

To avoid both underwatering and overwatering, it is important to water the plant only when the soil is completely dry. When you do water the plant, make sure to soak the soil thoroughly, but then allow it to dry out completely before watering again. This will help prevent both underwatering and overwatering and keep your plant healthy. 

Light Requirement - Where to Place Your Hoodia gordonii 

If you are growing Hoodia gordonii indoors, it is important to place it near a south-facing window, where it will receive the most sunlight. If your home does not receive a lot of direct sunlight, you can also use a grow light to provide the plant with the light it needs to grow and thrive. A full spectrum LED grow light is a good option, as it will provide the succulent with the wavelengths of light, it needs for photosynthesis. 

For outdoor cultivation, to keep your Hoodia gordonii plant healthy, it is important to provide it with bright, direct sunlight for at least six hours each day. This will help prevent leggy growth and ensure that the plant receives the nutrients it needs to thrive. It can produce more chlorophyll, which is essential for photosynthesis. This can help your adorable Namib hoodia grow more quickly and produce more flowers. 

When the plant is exposed to low light conditions, it may start to grow more slowly and become leggy or stretched out. The leaves may also become pale or yellow, and the plant may stop growing or flowering. 

If the hoodia is exposed to low light for extended periods, it can become stressed and weakened, which can make it more susceptible to pests and diseases. The succulent may also become more prone to developing root rot, as the soil will stay moist for longer periods of time. 

Optimal Soil & Fertilizer Needs

When it comes to choosing the right soil for your adorable Namib desert plant, you need to be careful! It's like picking out the perfect outfit for a date - you want to make sure everything is just right so there are no surprises later on. Ideally, you want to use our specialized succulent potting mix that contains 5 natural substrates and organic mycorrhizae to promote the development of a strong root system that helps your succulent to thrive. 

When it comes to fertilizing, remember that less is more. In fact, it is best to avoid over-fertilizing the hoodia, as this can cause it to become leggy and weak. A small amount of NPK fertilizer once a year in spring will do wonders for your plant's health and growth. Ideally, you should look for a natural fertilizer with an approximate blend of 5-10-5 that is higher in phosphorus than nitrogen. 

Hardiness Zones & More

When growing indoors, the Hoodia gordonii thrives in warm temperatures between 70-85 degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, it is important to maintain indoor humidity levels around 40-50% to ensure optimal growth conditions for the plant.

For outdoor cultivation, this succulent is hardy to USDA zones 9-11, which means that it can tolerate temperatures as low as 35 F. If you live in a colder region, you can still grow the plant indoors as long as you provide it with the right growing conditions, such as bright, direct sunlight and well-draining soil. 

Hoodia prefers dry air and does not do well in humid conditions. It is important to make sure that the plant is not overwatered, as this can cause the soil to become waterlogged and lead to root rot. If you live in a humid area, it is best to place it in a well-ventilated area or use a dehumidifier to help keep the air dry.

Wildlife - Hoodia gordonii Attracts the Following Friendly Pollinators

Hoodia gordonii plays a unique role in attracting pollinators, particularly flies. Its large, star-shaped flowers emit a distinctive, carrion-like odor that mimics the scent of decaying flesh. This strong smell acts as a lure for flies, which are the primary pollinators of the plant. The flower’s color and texture further enhance this mimicry, making it a suitable destination for flies seeking a place to lay eggs. Although the scent may be off-putting to humans, it is an effective strategy for pollination, ensuring the reproduction and survival of the species in its native desert environment.

Toxicity: Hoodia gordonii is generally considered non-toxic to humans and pets. The plant's spiny surface also provides a natural deterrent to animals, further minimizing the risk of accidental ingestion.

How to Propagate Your Hoodia gordonii

Hoodia gordonii can be propagated through both seeds and cuttings. Seeds should be sown in well-draining soil and kept in a warm, sunny location to germinate, while cuttings can be taken from mature plants and rooted in a similar soil mixture. Additionally, it is important to provide adequate water and protection from extreme temperatures during the propagation process to ensure successful growth.

Key Takeaways

  1. Hoodia gordonii thrives in arid environments and requires minimal watering, making it ideal for xeriscaping and low-water gardens.
  2. With simple care requirements, such as occasional watering and well-draining soil, it is a great choice for gardeners seeking a hassle-free plant.
  3. Due to its tough, spiny exterior, Hoodia gordonii is less likely to be affected by common pests, reducing the need for pest control measures.
  4. Its steady growth rate makes it easy to manage and maintain in containers or outdoor landscapes without frequent pruning.

The Bottom Line

Overall, the Hoodia gordonii offers an appealing combination of unique features and easy care, making it a valuable addition to any succulent collection. Its fascinating appearance, with spiny green stems and distinctive star-shaped flowers, provides an eye-catching element to arid landscapes. While this plant thrives on minimal water, proper care includes occasional deep watering and ensuring well-draining soil to prevent root rot. For buyers looking to add a resilient and intriguing plant to their collection, Hoodia gordonii is both a conversation starter and a low-maintenance option that brings the beauty of the desert to life.

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SKU: 22097148475

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4.1 ★★★★★
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Verified Purchase
Lyla Mae
Bozeman, US
★★★★★ 5
WOW! This printer has been VERY impressive thus far *UPDATE*
Color: Black, Style: ET-2800-B, Pattern Name: Printer
My old printer broke (sooner than I would have liked) so I did A LOT of research before deciding to buy this Epson EcoTank printer for home office use. This is my honest review of it this far and I will definitely update my review if I run into any issues. So far, this printer has been pretty impressive (I've been using it for about a month). The price was pretty average for a printer... but I personally think all printers are overpriced so it was a bit more than I would have liked to spend. It is smaller and more lightweight than I was expecting which is a plus because it takes up less desk space than my previous HP printer. It is very easy to set up, comes with step-by-step easy instructions and guided instructions through the app. It only took me about 10 minutes (Mostly just waiting for the printer to initialize on its own). It is very easy and surprisingly satisfying to fill the ink tank. I like the idea that this ink might last longer than traditional cartridges and won't have as much plastic waste that went along with my old HP Inkjet. I have printed plain black and white documents as well as photos. I print all my photos at home, which is most of the printing that I do, so quality was important to me. The photos came out with pretty good quality! No ink smudges or off colors, colors are bright/vivid, and it is easy to modify what paper you're using with automatic prompts on the printer. Now for the negatives and the reason I'm giving this 4 stars... app to printer connection issues. This was a big issue with my old printer as well. I'm pretty tech savvy and I just have no idea why this is still always an issue for me. There is an extra Epson app that you are supposed to download for printing. Sometimes it can find my printer, sometimes it can't. Sometimes it gives me printer errors or won't let me print documents. And now every time I go to print something it says the paper being used doesn't match the paper settings so I have to bypass that error message (even though it does match in settings and the app, and this happens for both regular paper and photo paper). I've turned everything off and back on again, but the issues with consistent connection and error messages are still an issue. Usually with some fiddling around, I can get the documents/pictures to print but sometimes it feels like I'm jumping through unnecessary hoops. I'm still working out the kinks so if I find some magic solution I'll update my review. Considering this is an issue with most home printers I've used, it's not a deal breaker. All in all, if you are looking for a new home printer, I would definitely recommend this one. The quality has been great for me and I am pleased with my purchase (so far). Hope this helps! *UPDATE*: I have now printed HUNDREDS of photos, they are all excellent quality, and my ink tanks are still mostly full. This is WAY better than my HP printer as far as ink longevity. Changing my review to 5 stars just based on how long this ink lasts. User interface is still a tad annoying but so worth it regardless.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 10, 2024
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Verified Purchase
Diana Crossman
Cuba, US
★★★★★ 5
Quality Printer
Color: Black, Style: ET-2800-B, Pattern Name: Printer
Wonderful multi purpose printer. I bought this months ago and finally got it set up. Set up was easy. Love that the printer is so light weight and fairly compact that I can move it wherever if needed. The supply of ink that came with it was awesome. The ink goes a long way. I have printed out a lot of photos on this printer and the quality has been very good. I have not encountered any paper jams. The photo printing has not been smudged nor has the color been uneven. From documents to photos this little printer does it all and does it very well. When my work printer dies I will be replacing it w another Epson Eco Tank for sure.
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Reviewed in the United States on May 15, 2026
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Joy
Omaha, US
★★★★★ 1
0 STARS!! DO NOT BUY!! HORRIBLE!!
Color: Black, Style: ET-2800-B, Pattern Name: Printer, Color: Black, Style: ET-2800-B, Pattern Name: Printer
DO NOT BUY! 0 STARS -I would give 0 stars if I could. This EPSON ET-2800 is the worst printer I have ever owned. -I work from home where I need to do small print jobs throughout the month. I didn’t need a printer that is super fast or had a lot of bells and whistles. I searched many, many, many reviews and this Epson ET-2800 kept coming up as a really good option for my purposes. It had great reviews and it supposedly uses less ink. -I went ahead and bought it and it was delivered Dec. 28. -Throughout the month of January I did a few print jobs here and there. Everything seemed ok. Toward the end of January I noticed that there was black shadowing behind a whole horizontal line on one of my print jobs. The shadow went the whole width of the paper. Thought it was a one-off and didn’t think about it too much since I had so much going on at the time. I also never dreamed that I would need to clean my printer since I hadn’t even owned it for a month at this point. -February 2 I started printing some things for work again and the lettering had lines through the center of the page. Even though I had just had the printer for a month and hadn’t printed that much stuff so I really shouldn’t have to clean it already, I used the “clean nozzle” tool on the printer. **I had to do the cleaning cycle 8 times before it was printing correctly meaning there were no missing segments on the sheet that is printed after the cleaning. ** This was a huge waste of my time and ink and paper!!! -February 16 I attempted to print some pages and again there were lines throughout the papers!! -February 17 I called Amazon to try to get a refund and they said I was outside of the return window. So -I called Epson. I explained what was happening and the lady told me before they would do anything I had to go through some “detailed instructions” on how to clean the printer. Only AFTER I completed all the steps would they even think about helping me. -So first step is to perform a nozzle cleaning per the instructions. Did this. -Instructions say to wait 12 hours before doing anything else. So I waited 12 hours and did another cleaning. Did this twice. The printer showed no broken/missing segments. -So I printed some pages and several of the pages had black smudges/lines/dots on the tops of the pages and most of them had black ink all over the bottom right corners of the papers. -Did the print nozzle cleaning and had broken/missing segments again. -Instructions say to do a head cleaning. Did head cleaning twice I think, and no broken/missing segments. -Printed a few pages and several of the pages had the shadows behind the whole horizontal line again and also some random black dots sprinkled throughout several pages. -Ran a Power Cleaning which is the last step of this process. This process by the way uses up A LOT of ink! My black ink is now less than half!! All the colors are down by ¼! They were full obviously when I started using the printer and the black was only down a smidge at the beginning of this whole cleaning process. -Now I have to wait 12 hours to see if the quality improves. -This is absolutely ridiculous!!! This whole process has wasted my time (each cleaning takes at least 3 minutes to do. The Power Cleaning takes 12 minutes). This whole process has used up a TON of my ink! This whole process has used up a ton of paper!! I shouldn’t have to clean my printer head or nozzle every single time I need to print! I have only had this printer for 7 weeks!!! DO NOT BUY THIS PRINTER! It is junk! I only hope I can get a refund after all this...
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Reviewed in the United States on February 18, 2025
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Verified Purchase
Sam
Houston, US
★★★★★ 5
Almost a year after purchase and this printer has not let me down!
Color: Black, Style: ET-2800-B, Pattern Name: Printer
I wanted to wait to write a review on this printer to see how it held up over time. Happy to report, after almost a year, it is still working perfectly! I was very nervous about purchasing a printer since it was my first time having to shop for one and almost every printer I looked at had something negative to say about the product. After extensive research, I decided to take a leap with the Epson EcoTank 2800. I was looking for a printer to use for recreational use. Something with decent print quality and longevity as well as something on a reasonable budget. I normally print full pages of color and have been using it regularly for around a year and I have about half of the ink that came with the printer left. Safe to say, the ink lasts a while. The quality may not be the top of the line quality you can get with a more expensive printer, but for the price and just everyday use, the quality is satisfactory. It was easy to set up and walked you through the instructions to connect to devices and configure it. The screen is a little small but if you can overlook that, it really is a nice printer. I have used regular printer paper, card stock, and sticker paper with this printer and I try to load only a few sheets at a time to avoid a jam but I haven't had any issues with it so far. Overall, I am extremely happy with my purchase. It can be extremely difficult to find a decent printer and some reviews can be misleading or leave you with questions on if the product is for you. If you are looking for something for printing everyday with decent quality and ink consumption that won't cost you a fortune, this printer is definitely worth taking a chance on!
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Reviewed in the United States on April 24, 2026
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Verified Purchase
Scott
Fort Morgan, US
★★★★★ 4
Printing is great, wifi is a problem (I figured out how to make it work!)
Color: White, Style: ET-2800-W, Pattern Name: Printer
I was on the fence about buying this printer because most of the 1 star reviews all said the same thing... "The Wifi would not work" So I followed the instructions, Turned on the print, downloaded the IOS app, connected to the printer via Bluetooth, installed the ink, initialized the printheads. While that was going on, the app asked me to setup the wifi. a List of SSID's came up and I selected the one I wanted. I put in the password and it connected and the icon on the printer turned blue. I have a Unifi setup and I could see that the printer connected to access point #3 @ 2.4ghz and got an ip address. I locked the IP address to the printer. (For my instructions to work for you, you need to make a reservation or lock the ipaddress that your DHCP server provided to the printer. ) If you don't do this, you will get a different address every time you turn the printer on and the computer and app will not be able to find the printer. When the initialization was complete, the app on my phone said it could not connect to the printer. I decided to try to connect to a computer and come back to the phone app. I downloaded the software package from Epson and ran it. When it went to connect to the printer it could not find it and brings up a list of troubleshooting steps that are not likely to do anything. There are videos about this problem and they are all useless. I am an IT professional with 26 years of experience. I am not going to unplug the printer and wait five minutes, I am not going to re-boot my router, I have a Unifi network environment with over 150 devices connected... (I have great wifi coverage, I am not moving my printer anywhere) My network works just fine, this printer is the issue! So at this point, I know that the printer IS connected to my wifi and it got an IP address. This is not a wifi problem as everyone seems to think it is. It is an issue with the Epson software. I decided to try to install it via the windows printer installer. I selected install via TCP/IP and put the ipaddress that my Unifi system provided to the printer. Windows found the printer and since the Epson app had already installed the drivers... just asked me what drivers I wanted to use. The ET-2800 showed up on the right hand side of the screen. I selected it, it installed and I was able to try a test print. It worked fine. I can print from my computer to the printer via the network. Next was the phone app. The phone app has the option to find the printer via the IP address. I put the IP address in and it found the printer. The phone app works now too. So, It took me some time to get this working, it should not have taken any time at all if the software worked correctly. The printer is really nice, it is a shame that the software is so bad when it comes to connecting to the printer. So if you decide to buy one of these printers, save yourself the headache and just install using the ip address, it is quick and easy that way and it just works. I would have just purchased an HP printer, but I did not want to deal with all the issues of their subscription ink service. I feel like the cost of ink makes this printer worth the hassle of getting it to work.
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Reviewed in the United States on December 2, 2024

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