Out of Africa Plants began as a passion for plants, not as a business. Long before international regulations for many succulent species were fully developed, we were growing, exchanging, and studying plants with other collectors who shared our interest in preserving botanical diversity.

As our hobby grew into a business, we made a commitment to operate legally, ethically, and responsibly. We were among the first businesses in Ohio licensed to export CITES-listed plants and held permits to export Appendix II and even Appendix I species when authorized. The plant material we have imported over the decades has entered the United States through the proper legal channels, with the required permits, inspections, and compliance with international and U.S. regulations.

During the more than five decades we have worked with African succulents, we have witnessed dramatic changes in the countries where these remarkable plants grow. Human populations have increased rapidly, placing ever-greater pressure on native habitats. These changes have strengthened our belief that artificial propagation is one of the most important tools available for conserving rare and unusual plants.

Over the years, we have produced hundreds of thousands of seedlings through propagation. Many species that are now commonly found in cultivation became more widely available because dedicated growers, including Out of Africa Plants, invested years in legally acquiring breeding stock, producing seed, and distributing propagated plants to collectors, botanical gardens, and fellow growers.

We believe that cultivated plants help reduce pressure on wild populations by making legally propagated material available to enthusiasts around the world. We also believe that maintaining genetically diverse collections in cultivation provides an important safeguard for species whose natural habitats continue to shrink.

Our goal has never been simply to sell plants. Our goal is to preserve, propagate, and share some of Africa’s most extraordinary flora while respecting the laws designed to protect them. We remain committed to ethical practices, legal compliance, and the responsible cultivation of these remarkable species for future generations.

We understand that people may have different opinions about plant collecting and conservation. We welcome respectful discussion and are proud to explain how we operate. We believe that transparency, responsible propagation, and a lifelong commitment to these plants speak for themselves.

Maureen & Mike Massara and Joel Dworkin