Monkey Rope Plant Care

Monkey Rope (Azima sarmentosa) belongs to the Salvadoraceae family within the Azima genus. Monkey Rope is native to Indochina, southern Hainan, the Philippines, Java, the Lesser Sunda Islands, Sulawesi, and New Guinea.

Monkey Rope displays a compact, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Monkey Rope produces small white flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Monkey Rope every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Monkey Rope thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Azima sarmentosa tolerates temperatures of 65–85°F. Monkey Rope prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining sandy soil mix with organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Monkey Rope to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Monkey Rope every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy soil mix with organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Monkey Rope is suited to USDA Zone 10b – 12b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Monkey Rope can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Monkey Rope while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Monkey Rope is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 10). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Monkey Rope can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to honey-thorn plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Monkey Rope is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Monkey Rope grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10b – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10b. Monkey Rope is native to Indochina, southern Hainan, the Philippines, Java, the Lesser Sunda Islands, Sulawesi, and New Guinea. In cooler regions, grow Monkey Rope as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.