Pollen alert: Pine dominates as allergy season continues in SA

Tree pollen levels remain high in Cape Town, Durban and Potchefstroom, while moderate grass pollen levels have also been reported in Cape Town and Pretoria.

Pine has become the dominant tree pollen type, according to the latest pollen report.

Meanwhile, several other cities continue to record low pollen concentrations.

Cape Town records high tree pollen levels

Cape Town continues to record high tree pollen concentrations, with several species contributing to the elevated counts.

These include pine, cypress, oak, mulberry, plane, yellowwood and hackberry.

Grass pollen levels remain moderate, while the report also identified weeds such as mugwort, sedges and erica.

Mould levels remain low.

Durban and Potchefstroom also record high levels

Durban continues to experience high tree pollen concentrations, although grass and weed pollen levels remain low.

The report identified several tree types, including pine, jacaranda, cypress, mulberry, gum and oak.

Potchefstroom also recorded high tree pollen levels, with pine among the species detected.

Other trees included acacia, maple, birch, cypress, ash, mulberry and yellowwood.

Both cities recorded low mould concentrations.

Pollen levels remain low in other cities

Johannesburg, Bloemfontein, Kimberley and Gqeberha recorded low pollen concentrations.

The report identified several tree and weed species in these cities, but their concentrations remained low.

Pretoria’s detailed sampling results also showed low tree, grass and weed pollen levels.

However, the report’s national overview described grass pollen in Pretoria as moderate.

George awaits updated results

George’s pollen monitoring station is operating, but difficulties transporting samples to the laboratory have delayed updated findings.

The available results are from 2025 and show extremely low pollen concentrations, with no tree or grass pollen detected.

The report also recorded low mould levels.

What does this mean for allergy sufferers?

People who are sensitive to pollen may experience sneezing, itchy eyes, a runny nose or nasal congestion when pollen levels rise.

Those living in areas with high tree pollen concentrations may need to take extra precautions, particularly when spending time outdoors.

Checking local pollen reports, keeping windows closed when counts are high and changing clothes after outdoor activities may help reduce exposure.