If you plan to grow these plants in South Africa, you must contact your local Department of Nature Conservation. See Information document on Trade in Hoodia gordonii and other Hoodia species for contact details.

Propagation is done mainly from seed. Cuttings are not really an option, as the severed ends very rarely form a callus from where roots will eventually form. Seeds are produced in October and November of each year (southern hemisphere). The seed horns must be semi-dry and starting to split down the middle before seed can be collected.

The seeds are light brown in colour, are flat and have a pappus of fluffy hair attached to their one end. This pappus acts as a parachute when the seed pod splits open. The seeds are blown some distance from the parent plant where they will establish themselves. Life for a young Hoodia plant begins under the protection of a nurse plant. A nurse plant is a shrub under which the young plant germinates and grows, protected by its leaves and branches from the suns strong rays.

Use sandy loam with a small amount of very well-rotted, sieved compost. The seeds should not be planted deeper than 0.5 cm. Do not crowd too many seeds into a seed pan, this can lead to damping off when they start germinating. The sowing medium must be well drained. Do not over-water, too much water at a time when the seeds are germinating will ROT them. Only water four times a week under warm conditions, 28°C or above. During the winter months only water once every two weeks. Move to a sunny location.

Sow the seeds in March or April (southern hemisphere). By April of the following year the plants should be strong enough to be planted in a small, 9 cm plastic pot, using a well-drained potting medium.

Hoodia gordonii once established will grow quickly. These plants respond well to organic fertiliser. In three years plants can attain a height of at least 250 mm and have up to 10 branches.