Cape Peragua Plant Care

Cape Peragua (Cassine peragua) belongs to the Celastraceae family within the Cassine genus. Cape Peragua is native to the Afro-montane forests of South Africa. Cape Peragua is also known as Cape Olive, Bastard Cape Ash, Swartboom.

Cape Peragua displays an upright, small tree or shrub growth habit, reaching up to 10 ft tall with a spread of approximately 6 ft. Cape Peragua produces small clusters of white or cream-colored flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.

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

Cape Peragua thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Cassine peragua tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Cape Peragua prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Cape Peragua to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Cape Peragua every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees 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 loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Cape Peragua is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

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

Cape Peragua can spread to about 6 ft (1.8 m) and reach about 10 ft (3 m) tall. Space plants about 6 ft (1.8 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 tree spacing calculator.

Prune Cape Peragua 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 tree in one year.

Cape Peragua is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Cape Peragua can be propagated through seeds, semi-hardwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to cassine koordersii plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Cape Peragua 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.

Cape Peragua grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Cape Peragua is native to the Afro-montane forests of South Africa. In cooler regions, grow Cape Peragua as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.