Sacred Garlic Pear Plant Care

Sacred Garlic Pear (Crateva religiosa) belongs to the Capparaceae family within the Crateva genus. Sacred Garlic Pear is native to much of tropical Asia and several South Pacific islands. Sacred Garlic Pear is also known as Garlic Pear, Temple Tree.

Sacred Garlic Pear displays a small to medium-sized tree growth habit, reaching up to 20 ft tall with a spread of approximately 15 ft. Sacred Garlic Pear produces small white or pink flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Sacred Garlic Pear every 7–10 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.

Sacred Garlic Pear thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Crateva religiosa tolerates temperatures of 65–85°F. Sacred Garlic Pear prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Sacred Garlic Pear to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Sacred Garlic Pear 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 loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Sacred Garlic Pear is suited to USDA Zone 10a – 12b.

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.

Sacred Garlic Pear can spread to about 15 ft (4.6 m) and reach about 20 ft (6 m) tall. Space plants about 15 ft (4.6 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 tree spacing calculator.

Prune Sacred Garlic Pear 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.

Sacred Garlic Pear 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.

Sacred Garlic Pear can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to african onionwood plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Sacred Garlic Pear is susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, scale insects. 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.

Sacred Garlic Pear grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10a – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10a. Sacred Garlic Pear is native to much of tropical Asia and several South Pacific islands. In cooler regions, grow Sacred Garlic Pear as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.