Kanna Sceletium Tortuosum Seed Pods

Kanna Sceletium Tortuosum Seed Pods: These are whole, dried seed pods of the Sceletium tortuosum plant, the same species behind every kanna extract we make. They are the propagation product in our range, sold for growers who want to raise their own kanna from seed rather than buy a rooted cutting. Each pod is a small, papery capsule that has been allowed to mature and dry on the plant, and each pod holds an estimated 25 seeds. Buying by the seed pod is one of the most affordable ways to accumulate kanna seeds, because a single capsule can carry a whole tray's worth of starts. We offer the pods as a single pod or as a pack of 5 pods for anyone planning a larger sowing or wanting spares for a second attempt. Our kanna is grown through benefit-sharing partnerships with the South African San Council, the traditional custodians of Sceletium knowledge, and that same sourcing applies to the seed stock.

The herb: Kanna (Sceletium tortuosum) is a low, sprawling succulent in the Aizoaceae family, native to the Karoo region of South Africa. In the wild it hugs the ground under shrubs and rocks, with fleshy, glassy leaves that fold back as they age and small white to pale yellow flowers that open in bright light. After flowering, the plant sets these hygroscopic seed pods, which stay closed when dry and open with moisture, a neat adaptation to unpredictable Karoo rain. The plant carries a small family of alkaloids, mesembrine, mesembrenone, delta-7-mesembrenone and mesembranol, which develop as the plant matures and are concentrated further when the harvested plant is fermented. A seedling is where that whole process begins.

Growing notes: Handle kanna like the succulent it is. Sow the seeds on the surface of a well-draining succulent or cactus mix, lightly cut with coarse sand or perlite, and press them in rather than burying them, since they are tiny and need light and air to get going. Keep the tray in bright, indirect light with warmth and mist just enough to keep the surface from drying out until seedlings appear, then back off. Once established, water sparingly, letting the mix dry between waterings, and give the plants as much bright light as you can. Overwatering is the most common way to lose a kanna plant, so err on the dry side. Germination timing and rates vary with seed age, temperature and technique, so sow more seeds than you need and be patient. Plants can be moved to individual pots once they have a few true leaves, and they spread readily from stem cuttings after that.

What's included: Your order contains the number of whole, intact seed pods you select, either 1 pod or 5 pods, each with an estimated 25 seeds inside. The seeds stay protected within the closed capsule until you are ready to sow. To release them, soak a pod briefly in water and it will open on its own, or gently break the dry capsule apart over a sheet of paper and tap out the seeds. No soil, tray or instructions beyond this page are included, so have your growing mix ready before you open a pod.

Traditional roots: The San and Khoikhoi peoples of southern Africa chewed and fermented kanna for generations, carrying it on long journeys and sharing it at gatherings, and the name kanna comes from their word for the eland antelope, an animal they held sacred. Traditionally the whole plant was fermented in skin bags or under the sun and then dried, and the pods have been brewed alongside the leaves in some preparations. Growing your own plant connects you to that history from the ground up, and it also takes pressure off wild populations that have been overharvested in parts of the Karoo. If you would like to experience prepared kanna, see our 5% Brown Kanna Extract, which is made from properly fermented plant material.

Common questions: How many seeds are in a Kanna Sceletium Tortuosum seed pod? Each whole dried pod holds an estimated 25 seeds, and the 5 pod pack is for larger sowings or spares. How do you open a kanna seed pod to get the seeds out? Soak the pod briefly in water and it opens on its own, or break the dry capsule apart over a sheet of paper and tap the seeds out. Can I brew or eat the kanna seed pods? No, they are sold only as a propagation specimen and are not prepared or tested for consumption; for prepared kanna, see our 5% Brown Kanna Extract.

Cautions: These seed pods are sold as a propagation and research specimen for cultivation, not as a food or supplement, and they are not prepared, cleaned or tested for consumption as sold. Please do not eat, brew or otherwise ingest the pods or seeds from this listing. Raw, unfermented Sceletium material has a different character from the fermented plant and has not been evaluated in this form. Keep the pods away from children and pets, wash your hands after handling seed and soil, and check your local regulations regarding the cultivation of Sceletium before planting. For adults 21+ only. Store unopened pods in a cool, dry, dark place in a sealed container until sowing, since moisture will cause them to open early.