This is an excellent plant for attracting wildlife to your garden as the flowers profuse copious nectar which attracts birds, bees and butterflies. The wild dagga is fast growing and is both drought and frost hardy. It should be well watered in summer and can tolerate being dried out during the dry winter months. In the landscape wild dagga can be used as a backdrop to smaller shrubs, it can also be used effectively as a low screen to hide or reduce visibility of undesired elements. In the natural garden this species can be used to create height in an open area, and is must for a bird garden. Due to its tall nature this species can easily be used along fences or against buildings.

This species is very easy to grow but will do best in rich well drained loamy soils with plenty of compost added. Plant in full sun and provide adequate water during the growing season, application of organic fertilizer can be applied at the beginning of the new season as well as a thick (100-150 mm) layer of organic mulch to stimulate vigorous growth. Wild dagga can tolerate moderate to severe frost, but extreme cold will force the plants into complete dormancy, cover the root zone with thick organic mulch in winter to protect the roots from freezing. Plants should be cut right back (approx. 100-200 mm high) at the end of winter, top-dressed with well-rotted manure or compost and given a deep watering to stimulate the new summer seasons growth. Propagate from seed, cuttings or by dividing large clumps. Wild dagga can also be relocated at this time of the year if need be. Under ideal conditions the wild dagga will re-seed itself around the garden. Smaller species such as Leonotis ocymifolia are useful for smaller gardens or containers where L. leonurus becomes to too tall.

Seed collection and sowing:
The seed should be collected once the spikey seed heads have completely dried out, these can be manually taken apart or shaken to dislodge the many small stick-shaped seeds. The seeds should be sown in spring or early summer into a finely sifted seedling mix comprised of equal parts finely graded decomposed bark, compost, loam and fine sand. The mixture is prepared in seed trays to a fine tilth and pressed down evenly and firmly, watered and drained. Seed is then sown directly onto the damp surface of the medium and very lightly covered with the same mixture or with fine sand. Fungicidal treatment is not usually necessary for this species. Trays should be kept warm but not in direct sun and watered daily until the seedlings begin to emerge, at which point watering can be reduced to three or four times per week. The seed germinates usually within two to three weeks and seedlings can be planted out into individual containers once they are large enough to handle >20 mm (ca. four weeks). Young plants can be planted out into well composted and prepared perennial flower beddings once they are approx. 300-400 mm high. Cover the soil with a thick layer of organic mulch and water well during the active growing season. Seedlings given suitable conditions can flower in their first or second growing season.

Joffe (2003)  gives instructions on dividing clumps: “Using a spade, lift the clump. Divide, and chop away the older less vigorous looking sections. Replant newer, healthier-looking portions immediately into a well-prepared bed; don’t leave clumps lying out in the sun for a long period of time. Water thoroughly immediately thereafter, and carefully for a couple of months until the plants are well established again” .