Mountain cabbage tree Cussonia paniculata
Mountain cabbage tree (Cussonia paniculata) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Araliaceae family, native to Highveld and rocky hills of South Africa. It grows 3–6 m (10–20 ft) tall and 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -8 °C (18 °F). Space plants about 3 m (10 ft) apart.
Plan Mountain cabbage tree in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Mountain cabbage tree at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Araliaceae |
| Mature height | 3–6 m (10–20 ft) |
| Mature spread | 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft) |
| Spacing | 3 m (10 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -8 °C (18 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 8) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | from about January for 4–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Highveld and rocky hills of South Africa |
| Common in gardens of | 🇿🇦 South Africa |
Is Mountain cabbage tree toxic?
- People: not well documented
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
Toxicity not documented; roots were eaten in famine.
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 Mountain cabbage tree
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
See Mountain cabbage tree in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Kirstenbosch (2 plants)
Questions about Mountain cabbage tree
- How far apart should I plant Mountain cabbage tree?
- About 3 m (10 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 2–4 m (6.6–13 ft).
- Does Mountain cabbage tree need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Mountain cabbage tree need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Mountain cabbage tree?
- It tolerates about -8 °C (18 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8.
- When does Mountain cabbage tree flower?
- From about January for 4–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Mountain cabbage tree poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people not well documented. Toxicity not documented; roots were eaten in famine.
- What grows well with Mountain cabbage tree?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Mountain cabbage tree. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- PlantZAfrica, South African National Biodiversity Institute
Notes and assumptions
- Thick corky trunk with a head of large blue-grey palmately divided leaves.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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