South Africa's iconic rooibos plant is set to make history later this year when its seeds are sent to the International Space Station (ISS) as part of a pioneering research project aimed at studying how space conditions affect plant growth.
The "Rooibos in Space" initiative will mark the first time an indigenous South African seed has been sent into space.
The seeds will be exposed to the microgravity and radiation environment aboard the ISS before being returned to Earth, where they will be planted and compared with seeds that remained on the ground.
The project is being coordinated by Max IQ Space in partnership with the South African Rooibos Council. Since 2014, Max IQ Space has involved South African learners in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) programmes linked to space exploration.
Seven schools from the Cederberg, the only region in the world where rooibos is naturally grown, will take part in the project alongside Parklands College in Cape Town. Learners will collect scientific data throughout the experiment and collaborate on analysing the results.
Max IQ Space co-founder Judi Sandrock said the project was designed to give schools from the rooibos-growing region a central role while also drawing on the experience of Parklands College, which has participated in previous space-based STEM initiatives.
She explained that although Parklands College is located outside the natural rooibos-growing region, its learners will grow their seeds indoors under controlled conditions similar to those used in space, providing valuable comparative data.
Sandrock said the project is expected to provide important insights into how plants respond to artificial growing environments and the challenges of cultivating crops beyond Earth.
South African Rooibos Council spokesperson Adele du Toit said the initiative aims to inspire young people to pursue careers in science, technology and innovation while contributing to agricultural research.
She said researchers hope the project will improve understanding of how rooibos seeds respond to the harsh conditions of space and help inform future studies into growing crops in extraterrestrial environments.
Western Cape Education Department Deputy Director-General Bertram Loriston said the project will equip learners with practical research skills, including critical thinking, data analysis and scientific communication.
He added that involving schools from the Cederberg highlights how local heritage and indigenous agriculture can play a meaningful role in cutting-edge scientific research.
Learners participating in the programme have also expressed excitement about being part of the historic experiment.
Grade 7 learner Autumn Schalk from PW De Bruin Primary School said she was eager to see whether the seeds would change after travelling to space.
The rooibos seeds are scheduled to be launched to the International Space Station in October aboard a resupply mission carrying food, equipment and other supplies for astronauts.