Plant in full to part sun or light shade and irrigate regularly to occasionally. Cold hardy to short duration temperatures down to 20°F to 25°F and useful in USDA Zones 9-11. Some report it is surviving in gardens in USDA Zone 7b with protection while others note that tips freeze at temperatures below 25°F. The American Conifer Society notes that after 10 years of growth, a mature specimen will measure 10 to 12 feet tall by 4.5 feet wide with an annual growth rate of 10 to 12 inches per year. The dense growth and beautiful foliage color of this plant makes it a great choice for specimen planting in the ground or in large containers and for use as a screening hedge. It is naturally dense but is also easily sheared to create a formal hedge or shaped as a topiary. It drops few leaves so is useful near patios, walkways and pools. While the arils of the fruit of most species of Podocarpus are edible, raw or cooked into jams or pies, other parts of the fruits are slightly toxic and should be eaten only in small amounts or avoided, especially when raw. In addition the stems, leaves, flowers, and pollen all contain this toxin and for this reason some sources list Podocarpus in general (and Podocarpus macrophyllus specifically) as being toxic to dogs. We have not found our dogs interested in eating this plant but list this here to caution others not to let their dogs eat it.

Podocarpus elongatus 'Monmal' is a selected form of Podocarpus elongatus, a plant commonly called the Breede River Yellowwood that is restricted to the Breede River Valley in the winter-rainfall Western Cape, where it typically grows along rivers and on rocky outcrops within the fynbos vegetation type. It is also commonly called Cape Peninsula Stone Yew. Podocarpus elongatus distinguished from the other South African Yellowwoods we grow or have grown such as Podocarpus henkelii and Podocarpus latifolius by its relatively elongated grey-blue leaves and bushy habit.

The name for the genus is derived from Greek words 'podo' meaning "foot" or "footed" and 'karpos' which means "fruit" in reference to the fleshy stalk or receptacle that holds the seed. The specific epithet is in reference to the elongated leaves of this plant in comparison to the closely related Podocarpus latifolius, thought these leaves are notably shorter than Podocarpus henkelii, which was described later. This seedling selection of Podocarpus elongatus was introduced into the California nursery trade by Monrovia Nursery in 2004, who marketed it under their trademarked name. There has been no report of this plant coning, so it has not been determined if this dioecious conifer species is a male or a female selection. The other more common plant that had long been known as Podocarpus gracilior we now list as Afrocarpus gracilior. 

The information about Podocarpus elongatus 'Monmal' displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant.