Monkey Rope Plant Care
Pterocelastrus tricuspidatus Walp.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Pterocelastrus tricuspidatus, commonly called candlewood, cherrywood or kershout, is a medium-sized evergreen tree, indigenous to South Africa.
Partial shade to full sun
At a glance
How do you care for Monkey Rope?
Plant Monkey Rope in partial shade to full sun.
Where Is the Monkey Rope Native To?
What Is the Monkey Rope?
Monkey Rope (Pterocelastrus tricuspidatus) belongs to the Celastraceae family within the Pterocelastrus genus. Monkey Rope is native to South Africa. Monkey Rope is also known as Monkey Bush.
Monkey Rope displays an upright, spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Monkey Rope produces small clusters of white or pale yellow flowers.
What Light Does the Monkey Rope Need?
Monkey Rope thrives in partial shade to full sun.
Light Requirement
Partial shade to full sun
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Monkey Rope?
Well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Monkey Rope to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
Where Should You Plant a Monkey Rope?
Choose a spot with partial shade to full sun and well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
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.
How Do You Prune a Monkey Rope?
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.
How Do You Care for a Monkey Rope in Winter?
Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.
Young and container-grown shrubs need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.
How Do You Propagate a Monkey Rope?
Monkey Rope can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to spiny candlewood plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Monkey Rope Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Monkey Rope, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Monkey Rope?
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.
Keep exploring plants
Monkey Rope is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Pterocelastrus genus — compare its care with other Pterocelastrus species on PlantoScan.
Pterocelastrus is part of the Celastraceae plant family — browse all Celastraceae genera and species.
Monkey Rope thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Pterocelastrus tricuspidatus Walp., family Celastraceae (first published in Repert. Bot. Syst. 1: 535 (1842)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Monkey Rope, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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