Narrow-leaved Monkey Orange Plant Care

Narrow-leaved Monkey Orange (Strychnos angustiflora) belongs to the Loganiaceae family within the Strychnos genus. Narrow-leaved Monkey Orange is native to Southern Africa. Narrow-leaved Monkey Orange is also known as Strychnos pungens.

Narrow-leaved Monkey Orange displays a small tree or shrub growth habit, reaching up to 10 ft tall with a spread of approximately 8 ft. Narrow-leaved Monkey Orange produces small, fragrant white flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Narrow-leaved Monkey Orange 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.

Narrow-leaved Monkey Orange thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Strychnos angustiflora tolerates temperatures of 65–85°F. Narrow-leaved Monkey Orange 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. Good drainage is essential for Narrow-leaved Monkey Orange to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Narrow-leaved Monkey Orange 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. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Narrow-leaved Monkey Orange is suited to USDA Zone 10b – 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.

Narrow-leaved Monkey Orange can spread to about 8 ft (2.4 m) and reach about 10 ft (3 m) tall. Space plants about 8 ft (2.4 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 Narrow-leaved Monkey Orange 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.

Narrow-leaved Monkey Orange 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.

Narrow-leaved Monkey Orange can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to icaco plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Narrow-leaved Monkey Orange 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.

Narrow-leaved Monkey Orange grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10b – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10b. Narrow-leaved Monkey Orange is native to Southern Africa. In cooler regions, grow Narrow-leaved Monkey Orange as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.