Founded by Liana Jansen and set in the fertile landscape of Montagu at Kogman and Keisie, her husband’s organic farm, the Fijn Botanicals brand is rooted in the environment that inspires and supplies it. The farm serves as both Liana’s home and the heart of her botanical journey, where Montagu’s landscape has become her muse, each corner of it alive with the scents and properties of plants she has come to know intimately.
Liana’s path to creating natural skincare was unexpected, yet somehow fated. Once a lecturer in the Master of Landscape Architecture program at the University of Cape Town, she made the bold move to leave academia and relocate to Montagu’s countryside. It was here that her senses were awakened by the natural botanical treasures surrounding her – abundant, aromatic fynbos such as rooibos, buchu and wild geranium growing just beyond her doorstep.
Driven by a need for biodegradable amenities for the farm’s guest house, she sourced every ingredient directly from the land, transforming what started as a simple solution into a thriving skincare brand. Now, the surrounding Montagu environment acts as an extension of her garden, lending itself freely to her wonderful creations.
Liana’s background in landscape architecture, coupled with her love for medicinal plants, provided her with the knowledge to craft products in harmony with this natural abundance. Her brand’s philosophy of ‘garden-to-bottle’ is deeply personal, emphasising transparency and a mindful approach to harvesting that respects the natural growth cycles of each plant. Against the backdrop of the Langeberg Mountains, Montagu’s terrain is rich with diverse fynbos that thrive under its idyllic climate, each plant filled with unique properties that are both therapeutic and healing.
As her business grows, so does Liana’s vision for Fijn Botanicals. But she is committed to not becoming so big that she can’t include a hand-written note with every order, or give every lotion and potion the necessary hands-on attention it needs (and deserves). Her latest endeavour has been the creation of bespoke botanical perfumes that distill the essence of South African flora. The collection features fragrances that capture the land’s spirit, offering customers a way to experience the warmth of fynbos in each bottle. For Liana, this is not just about scent, but about capturing the memory and feeling of place.
Fijn Botanicals is a testament to Liana’s belief in nature’s healing power and a reflection of her commitment to sustainable living. By sourcing directly from the surrounding fynbos, she creates products that echo the beauty and tranquillity of Montagu and the Cape Floral Region. It is this commitment to authenticity, purity and environmental respect that makes Fijn Botanicals not only a celebration of its surroundings but also a way for others to experience its essence, wherever they are.
Text by Lynette Botha
