Dodonaea is a tough, sun-loving genus of shrubs and small trees best known for thriving where many other plants struggle – on windswept coasts, rocky hillsides, dry scrub, and disturbed ground. Many species have slim, often sticky or resinous leaves that help reduce water loss, and the plants are frequently either male or female (with flowers on separate individuals), followed by distinctive papery, winged seed capsules that can look almost lantern-like when they mature. Belonging to the soapberry family, Sapindaceae, Dodonaea is a genuinely wide-ranging group with a strong foothold in the Southern Hemisphere. It is especially diverse in Australia, but the genus also occurs across Africa (including parts of southern and eastern Africa), Madagascar, the Mediterranean region, the Middle East, South and Southeast Asia, and many Pacific islands, with some species extending into the Americas. This broad distribution reflects its adaptability – Dodonaea often slots neatly into fire-prone, drought-stressed, or coastal ecosystems, making it an ecological “survivor” genus with plenty of horticultural appeal.

Dodonaea viscosa

Dodonaea viscosa (commonly called Hopbush / Hop Bush, and sometimes locally referred to as Sand Olive in parts of southern Africa) is one of the most adaptable shrubs you can grow from seed. It’s prized in South Africa for its resilience in coastal and inland conditions, and internationally for thriving in Mediterranean, subtropical and warm-temperate climates with minimal fuss.

Its distribution is exceptionally broad, occurring naturally across many tropical and subtropical regions of the world, including Africa, parts of Asia, Australia and the Pacific, and other warm regions depending on the local subspecies/forms. In cultivation it forms a dense evergreen shrub or small tree with narrow to elliptic leaves, often slightly sticky or glossy with resin. It copes with wind, salt spray, heat, and lean soils, making it ideal for screening, stabilising, wildlife gardens, and waterwise landscapes.

The flowers are small, subtle, and usually greenish-yellow to yellow-green, followed by decorative papery, winged seed capsules that often colour attractively as they ripen. In many climates, flowering is strongest from spring into summer, though warm areas may see extended or intermittent flowering. If you want a reliable, climate-resilient shrub that looks good year-round and grows happily from seed, this is a standout.