Is Matagouri safe for pets?

Yes, Matagouri (Discaria Toumatou) is considered safe for cats and dogs.

Is Matagouri easy to care for?

Matagouri has a medium care difficulty rating. It requires medium watering and full_sun or partial_shade light.

Can Matagouri grow indoors?

Matagouri is primarily an outdoor plant and may not thrive indoors without specialized conditions.

Matagouri (Discaria Toumatou) is a perennial shrub in the Rhamnaceae family with moderate care difficulty. It requires moderate watering and full sun or partial shade light in USDA hardiness zones 8-11. This plant is safe for cats and dogs.

Discaria toumatou is a tangle-branched, extremely thorny shrub or small tree endemic to New Zealand.

Last updated: February 2026

Matagouri

Discaria Toumatou

Discaria toumatou is a tangle-branched, extremely thorny shrub or small tree endemic to New Zealand.

Quick Facts

Type

shrub

Lifecycle

perennial

Care Difficulty

Moderate

Water Needs

Moderate

Light

Full Sun, Partial Shade

Hardiness Zones

8-11

Safety

🐕

Pet Safe

⚠️

Not Child Safe

✅

Non-Toxic

Growing Conditions

Soil Types:loamy, sandy, rocky

Indoor:No

Outdoor:Yes

Garden Use:hedge, screen, nitrogen fixer, erosion control

Care Calendar

Monthly care tasks for Matagouri

Jan

Prune

Feb

Fertilize

Mar

Repot

Apr

Water+

May

...

Jun

...

Jul

...

Aug

...

Sep

...

Oct

...

Nov

...

Dec

...

Expert Care Tips

Pro tips from botanists and plant experts

Watering Tip

Check soil moisture by inserting your finger 1 inch deep. Water only when the top layer feels dry to prevent overwatering.

Humidity Trick

Group plants together to create...

Growth Hack

Rotate your plant every...

Photo Gallery10+ photos

View leaf details, flowers, seeds & more in the app

Taxonomy

Family:Rhamnaceae

Genus:Discaria