IMPORTANT INFORMATION
The Vetplantfees (Succulent Festival) is an annual festival hosted by the Calitzdorp Succulent Society to showcase of many of South Africa’s beautiful and rare succulents together with succulents from all over the world.
This annual festival will take place on 19, 20 & 21 September 2025 at the Calitzdorp Station in the town Calitzdorp in the Klein Karoo, a region where many of the succulents, endemic to South Africa, can be seen in their natural environment. Succulent enthusiasts who visit Calitzdorp during the festival will be able to immerse themselves in a range of activities to discover the world of succulents.
Whether you live in Calitzdorp, Cape Town, George or Johannesburg you will see indigenous and rare succulents in their natural habitat, buy specimens not available in nurseries and get advice on how to propagate, grow and care for succulents in the garden.
This annual festival will take place on 19, 20 & 21 September 2025 at the Calitzdorp Station in the town Calitzdorp in the Klein Karoo, a region where many of the succulents, endemic to South Africa, can be seen in their natural environment. Succulent enthusiasts who visit Calitzdorp during the festival will be able to immerse themselves in a range of activities to discover the world of succulents.
Whether you live in Calitzdorp, Cape Town, George or Johannesburg you will see indigenous and rare succulents in their natural habitat, buy specimens not available in nurseries and get advice on how to propagate, grow and care for succulents in the garden.
19 September 2025 – 09:00 to 17:00
20 September 2025 – 09:00 to 17:00
21 September 2025 – 09:00 to 15:00
20 September 2025 – 09:00 to 17:00
21 September 2025 – 09:00 to 15:00
For 2025 the Vetplantfees will take place at the Calitzdorp Station in Calitzdorp. Just follow the signs. Food vendors on site. Plan to spend the whole weekend with us.
The festival will include:
* Veld Walks led by local guides
* A potted plant market hosted by growers
* Educational talks by succulent experts
* “How To” workshops
* Original plant pots for sale
* Succulent plant exhibition
* Plant Competition, see the “Best Gasteria in Show”
* Botanical art exhibition
* Botanical art sold by artists
* A rare plant auction
* Saturday night dinner, and talk by one of the world’s experts on succulent plants.
* Veld Walks led by local guides
* A potted plant market hosted by growers
* Educational talks by succulent experts
* “How To” workshops
* Original plant pots for sale
* Succulent plant exhibition
* Plant Competition, see the “Best Gasteria in Show”
* Botanical art exhibition
* Botanical art sold by artists
* A rare plant auction
* Saturday night dinner, and talk by one of the world’s experts on succulent plants.
Admission to the festival is FREE. Selected activities, including Veld Walks, Workshops and Special Events will be charged for.
More information on the specific activities, the costs for each and how to book visit the individual links for each.
More information on the specific activities, the costs for each and how to book visit the individual links for each.
Thousands of rare and indigenous potted succulents will be on sale during the festival. Many of the finest growers of succulent plants in South Africa are in attendance with huge varieties of plants for sale. Several new vendors will be added in 2025, selling many more varied plants. Vendors are asked to only sell plants that have been artificially propagated. In other words no plants from the veld. Festivalgoers must take note that plants will be available on a first-come first-buy basis.
The plant sale will start at 09:00 on Friday, 19 September 2025 and will be open for business until 15:00 on Sunday, 21 September 2025.
The plant sale will start at 09:00 on Friday, 19 September 2025 and will be open for business until 15:00 on Sunday, 21 September 2025.
Join a hands-on workshops to learn how to successfully learn about succulents, how to propagate them and how to best display them in your garden. Expert growers will help you make sense of some of the difficult names and where these wonderful succulent plants fit on the plant map, how you can grow your own from seed or cuttings and how to use your succulents in your garden. A fee of R200 per person attending will apply for all workshops.
From the list below, choose the workshop you would like to attend during Vetplantfees 2025.
Succulent Plant Propagation
Friday, 19 September 2025 - 12:30 - More Info | Book Now
Saturday, 20 September 2025 - 14:00 - More Info | Book Now
Living Décor
Friday, 19 September 2025 - 15:30 - More Info | Book Now
Succulent Plant Container Gardening
Saturday, 20 September 2025 - 09:30 - More Info | Book Now
From the list below, choose the workshop you would like to attend during Vetplantfees 2025.
Succulent Plant Propagation
Friday, 19 September 2025 - 12:30 - More Info | Book Now
Saturday, 20 September 2025 - 14:00 - More Info | Book Now
Living Décor
Friday, 19 September 2025 - 15:30 - More Info | Book Now
Succulent Plant Container Gardening
Saturday, 20 September 2025 - 09:30 - More Info | Book Now
Trained Cape Nature guides will escort small groups of enthusiasts on a 90-minute walk to Calitzdorp’s famous Jakkalskop where dozens of succulent plant varieties will be in flower. It is an experience not to be missed and have proven to be very popular with festivalgoers.
A fee of R200 per person attending will apply for all veldwalks.
DATES & TIMES
Veld Walk - Friday, 19 Sept 2025 - 09:00 - To book, click here.
Veld Walk - Friday, 19 Sept 2025 - 11:00 - To book, click here.
Veld Walk - Friday, 19 Sept 2025 - 13:00 - To book, click here.
Veld Walk - Friday, 19 Sept 2025 - 15:00 - To book, click here.
Veld Walk - Friday, 19 Sept 2025 - 17:00 - To book, click here.
Veld Walk - Saturday, 20 Sept 2025 - 09:00 - To book, click here.
Veld Walk - Saturday, 20 Sept 2025 - 11:00 - To book, click here.
Veld Walk - Saturday, 20 Sept 2025 - 13:00 - To book, click here.
Veld Walk - Saturday, 20 Sept 2025 - 15:00 - To book, click here.
Veld Walk - Saturday, 20 Sept 2025 - 17:00 - To book, click here.
Veld Walk - Sunday, 21 Sept 2025 - 09:00 - To book, click here.
Veld Walk - Sunday, 21 Sept 2024 - 11:00 - To book, click here.
BOOKING & PAYMENT
Booking and payment are essential as only 8 persons will be accommodated on each of the scheduled walks. The fee to join each walk is R200, payable in advance and non-refundable on cancellation.
WHERE TO MEET
Each walk will depart daily at the appointed time from the main festival pay point at the Calitzdorp Station.
IMPORTANT
Participants should wear shoes suitable for walking in the veld and bring water, a hat and sun protection.
A fee of R200 per person attending will apply for all veldwalks.
DATES & TIMES
Veld Walk - Friday, 19 Sept 2025 - 09:00 - To book, click here.
Veld Walk - Friday, 19 Sept 2025 - 11:00 - To book, click here.
Veld Walk - Friday, 19 Sept 2025 - 13:00 - To book, click here.
Veld Walk - Friday, 19 Sept 2025 - 15:00 - To book, click here.
Veld Walk - Friday, 19 Sept 2025 - 17:00 - To book, click here.
Veld Walk - Saturday, 20 Sept 2025 - 09:00 - To book, click here.
Veld Walk - Saturday, 20 Sept 2025 - 11:00 - To book, click here.
Veld Walk - Saturday, 20 Sept 2025 - 13:00 - To book, click here.
Veld Walk - Saturday, 20 Sept 2025 - 15:00 - To book, click here.
Veld Walk - Saturday, 20 Sept 2025 - 17:00 - To book, click here.
Veld Walk - Sunday, 21 Sept 2025 - 09:00 - To book, click here.
Veld Walk - Sunday, 21 Sept 2024 - 11:00 - To book, click here.
BOOKING & PAYMENT
Booking and payment are essential as only 8 persons will be accommodated on each of the scheduled walks. The fee to join each walk is R200, payable in advance and non-refundable on cancellation.
WHERE TO MEET
Each walk will depart daily at the appointed time from the main festival pay point at the Calitzdorp Station.
IMPORTANT
Participants should wear shoes suitable for walking in the veld and bring water, a hat and sun protection.
Not to be missed is the range of free talks by plant experts on each day of the festival. Attendees will gain insights into the key issues pre-occupying scientist and experts working in the field. Expert Talks are free events and no booking is required. Available seats are on a first-come, first-serve basis.
FRIDAY, 19 SEPTEMBER
11:00 - Expert Talk
Tulista - Steven Molteno
Steven is one of the true experts on Haworthia and their relatives. Tulista is one of the new genera resulting from the split up of the Haworthia genus. He will review the entire genus.
>>More Info To Follow Soon
14:00 – Expert Talk
Gasteria - Dr. Ernst van Jaarsveld and Cornell Beukes
Ernst is the recognized expert on this genus of plants. He and Cornell will give a review of the genus, including the new species recently discovered and described.
>>More Info To Follow Soon
SATURDAY, 20 SEPTEMBER
12:30 – Expert Talk
Conservation - Sue Milton-Dean
Sue is a true expert in the field of plant conservation. She owns and operates a nursery in Prince Albert which has the primary function of growing plants to be used in veld restoration. Her company, Renu-karoo, leads the field in Karoo veld restoration. She is also involved with ownership and operation of Wolwekraal Nature Reserve, near Prince Albert. Her talk will be very entertaining for those who have interest in the preservation of our natural resources.
>>More Info To Follow Soon
FRIDAY, 19 SEPTEMBER
11:00 - Expert Talk
Tulista - Steven Molteno
Steven is one of the true experts on Haworthia and their relatives. Tulista is one of the new genera resulting from the split up of the Haworthia genus. He will review the entire genus.
>>More Info To Follow Soon
14:00 – Expert Talk
Gasteria - Dr. Ernst van Jaarsveld and Cornell Beukes
Ernst is the recognized expert on this genus of plants. He and Cornell will give a review of the genus, including the new species recently discovered and described.
>>More Info To Follow Soon
SATURDAY, 20 SEPTEMBER
12:30 – Expert Talk
Conservation - Sue Milton-Dean
Sue is a true expert in the field of plant conservation. She owns and operates a nursery in Prince Albert which has the primary function of growing plants to be used in veld restoration. Her company, Renu-karoo, leads the field in Karoo veld restoration. She is also involved with ownership and operation of Wolwekraal Nature Reserve, near Prince Albert. Her talk will be very entertaining for those who have interest in the preservation of our natural resources.
>>More Info To Follow Soon
Be sure to participate in this event which is unique to Calitzdorp. Plants, artwork and other special items will be auctioned to the highest bidder. Attendees will find the most beautiful and rare of succulent plants and art work.
This is a special opportunity for succulent plant collectors to acquire mature and sometimes very rare plants. Items will be sold to the highest bidder with reserve on some. The vendors and artists at the Succulent Fees will contribute to the Rare Plant Auction. This event will be memorable in all respects.
The auction will be held at 11:00 on Saturday, 20 September 2025. Attendance is free.
This is a special opportunity for succulent plant collectors to acquire mature and sometimes very rare plants. Items will be sold to the highest bidder with reserve on some. The vendors and artists at the Succulent Fees will contribute to the Rare Plant Auction. This event will be memorable in all respects.
The auction will be held at 11:00 on Saturday, 20 September 2025. Attendance is free.
This is a “must attend” event during the Calitzdorp Succulent Festival. You will have the chance to meet and mix with succulent experts from all over South Africa, enjoy a wonderful dinner prepared and served by the ladies of the Calitzdorp NG Church.
The featured speaker at this year's dinner will be Dr. Ernst van Jaarsveld who is one of South Africa's foremost authorities on Succulent Plants. He and his associate at Babylonstoren, Cornell Beukes will relate their participation in putting together a South African Succulent Veld display at this year's Chelsea Garden Fair in London.
The menus for the dinner will be presented here in early July. Please note that there is a meat based menu and a vegetarian based menu. Please select your choice when booking..
More info, click here.
To book, click here.
The featured speaker at this year's dinner will be Dr. Ernst van Jaarsveld who is one of South Africa's foremost authorities on Succulent Plants. He and his associate at Babylonstoren, Cornell Beukes will relate their participation in putting together a South African Succulent Veld display at this year's Chelsea Garden Fair in London.
The menus for the dinner will be presented here in early July. Please note that there is a meat based menu and a vegetarian based menu. Please select your choice when booking..
More info, click here.
To book, click here.
SCHEDULED EVENTS
FRIDAY, 19 SEPT
09:00 — 17:00
Plant & Art Exhibition, Vendor Sales, Food Vendors
09:00 – Veld Walk*
11:00 – Expert Talk***
11:00 – Veld Walk*
12:30 – Workshop*
13:00 – Veld Walk*
14:00 – Expert Talk***
15:00 – Veld Walk*
15:30 – Workshop*
17:00 – Veld Walk*
* Opening for bookings. Fees apply. Advance booking required.
** Bookings opening soon. Fees apply. Advance booking required.
*** Attend for free. No booking required.
SATURDAY, 20 SEPT
09:00 — 17:00
Plant & Art Exhibition, Vendor Sales, Food Vendors
09:00 – Veldwalk*
09:30 – Workshop*
11:00 – Veld Walk*
11:00 – Rare Plant Auction***
12:30 – Expert Talk***
13:00 – Veld Walk*
14:00 – Workshop*
15:00 – Veld Walk*
17:00 – Veld Walk*
18:30 – Dinner & Keynote*
* Opening for bookings. Fees apply. Advance booking required.
** Bookings opening soon. Fees apply. Advance booking required.
*** Attend for free. No booking required.