Amatungulu
Carissa macrocarpa · Apocynaceae
📷 Forest & Kim Starr · CC BY 3.0
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around amatungulu and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Scientific name
- Carissa macrocarpa
- Family
- Apocynaceae
- Foliage
- Evergreen, dark green and glossy
- Flowering
- May to June, fragrant white or pale pink flowers
- Mature size
- Approximately 2 m in height
- Growth
- Moderate to fast in warm climates
- Hardiness
- Tender, warm to mild temperate climates (zones 9-11)
- Origin
- South Africa
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability low.
Expert tips
The key tip
Carissa fears frost (minimum 5°C). Grow in a pot or in mild regions.
The common mistake
Growing it indoors in constant warmth year-round: it stays weak and won't flower.
The pro's trick
Take softwood cuttings in May: they root slowly but reliably.
Care
Light exposure
Carissa thrives in full sun for optimal flowering and fruiting. It tolerates partial shade but prefers very bright and warm locations. Position it where it's protected from strong winds, especially in cooler regions.
Watering
Water regularly and moderately during the growing season (spring-summer), keeping the soil moist but not waterlogged. In winter or during established drought, reduce watering frequency. Adjust according to local rainfall and soil type.
Soil and planting
Prefer well-draining soil rich in organic matter and slightly acidic to neutral. Adding well-decomposed compost at planting helps establishment. Ensure water never pools at the roots to prevent rot.
Fertilizing
Apply balanced or potassium-rich fertilizer once or twice monthly during the growing season (April to September). Reduce applications in autumn and stop in winter to allow the plant to rest.
Pruning and maintenance
Prune lightly after flowering to maintain a compact, well-branched form. Remove dead, diseased, or overcrossing branches. Annual light pruning stimulates flower and fruit production the following year.
Diseases and pests
Carissa is generally robust but can be sensitive to mealybugs and spider mites in very hot, dry climates. Monitor ambient humidity and inspect leaves regularly. In overly wet soil, root rot may develop.
Did you know?
Carissa is renowned in South Africa not only for its juicy, edible red fruits, but also for its sharp spines that make it an excellent defensive hedge. Its scientific name macrocarpa alludes to the considerable size of its fruits, once highly valued by local populations and European explorers.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Lesser periwinkleVinca minor
- Greater periwinkleVinca major
- OleanderNerium oleander
- Asiatic jasmineTrachelospermum asiaticum
- Star jasmineTrachelospermum jasminoides
- NosegaytreePlumeria alba
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.