Cape Jewels Plant Care

Cape Jewels (Nemesia strumosa) belongs to the Scrophulariaceae family within the Nemesia genus. Cape Jewels is native to the southwestern Cape Provinces of South Africa. Cape Jewels is also known as Pouch Flower, Cape Snapdragon.

Cape Jewels displays a low, spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Cape Jewels produces small, tubular flowers in various colors like pink, purple, white, or yellow.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Cape Jewels every 3–5 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.

Cape Jewels thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Nemesia strumosa tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Cape Jewels prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining, fertile soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Good drainage is essential for Cape Jewels to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Cape Jewels 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, fertile soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Cape Jewels is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

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.

Cape Jewels can spread to about 1 ft (0.3 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.3 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 Cape Jewels 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.

Cape Jewels is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Cape Jewels can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to blue nemesia plant care, which shares the same genus.

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Cape Jewels is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. 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 Jewels grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Cape Jewels is native to the southwestern Cape Provinces of South Africa. In cooler regions, grow Cape Jewels as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.