Cape chestnut Calodendrum capense
Cape chestnut (Calodendrum capense) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Rutaceae family, native to Eastern and southern Africa. It grows 7–20 m (23–66 ft) tall and 6–12 m (20–39 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about -3 °C (27 °F). Space plants about 8 m (26 ft) apart.
Plan Cape chestnut in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Cape chestnut at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Rutaceae |
| Mature height | 7–20 m (23–66 ft) |
| Mature spread | 6–12 m (20–39 ft) |
| Spacing | 8 m (26 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -3 °C (27 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 36 °C (97 °F) |
| Flowering | about 313–521 weeks after planting, for 4–9 weeks |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Eastern and southern Africa |
| Common in gardens of | 🇰🇪 Kenya, 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇪🇹 Ethiopia |
Is Cape chestnut toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Cape chestnut
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Keep apart or take care
- caution With Sweet orange: Asian citrus psyllid spreads huanglongbing (citrus greening) between citrus and relatives such as orange jasmine (Murraya). Keep new citrus away from infected or neglected hosts. Evidence B
Questions about Cape chestnut
- How far apart should I plant Cape chestnut?
- About 8 m (26 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 6–12 m (20–39 ft).
- Does Cape chestnut need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Cape chestnut need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Cape chestnut?
- It tolerates about -3 °C (27 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Cape chestnut flower?
- About 313–521 weeks after planting, for 4–9 weeks.
- Is Cape chestnut poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
- What grows well with Cape chestnut?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Cape chestnut. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- PlantZAfrica, South African National Biodiversity Institute
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- Not a chestnut but a citrus relative; the crown turns pink with flowers in early summer. Common in Nairobi streets.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Lemon tree (dwarf) Citrus limon
- Curry tree Murraya koenigii
- Kaffir lime Citrus hystrix
- Common rue Ruta graveolens
- Sweet orange Citrus x sinensis
- Mandarin orange Citrus reticulata
- Persian lime Citrus x latifolia
- Key lime Citrus x aurantiifolia