The tea is fairly popular among some people. I am disabled and peddling hard just to "stay behind" so to speak, and I can't take on something else. To respond to your questions: Yes, the leaves (which actually look like a fine ground bark or wood) are dry when I've added it to the plants or soil. However it is usually wet when I put it in the bowl and that's when I noted that the gnats avoided it in favor of the other teas and tisanes (herbals such as peppermint). I just tossed part of a cereal bowl full into some soil (soil-less actually) mix for some coleus cuttings and a sansevieria yesterday so I'll see if I get gnats. I didn't add a systemic. I never did the "mulch" with the AVs, just potted some small ones with the rooibos mixed in but didn't really keep track. It didn't kill the plants or I'd have noticed that :). I've had a lot of problems finding a consistent mix in the past years. Diana

It might be hard to grow. One article said it needs acid, sandy soil. Our water is so alkaline it may not thrive. Renee

Hi there, I am new to the site and wondering if you have an updated list so that I may see if I can offer something in trade. I am interested in a couple items from you. B

The first time I heard of it was when I read the list of ingredients in Good Earth's Sweet and Spicy Herb Tea. Rooibos is the first ingredient. I looked it up and apparently it is naturally sweet, and Good Earth tea sure is sweet on it's own without any sugar. But I've never had plain rooibos tea. How would you describe the taste? Jen