Related to the mangosteen from India, the forest garcinia is not a well-known garden ornamental, but it could be. It has fragrant flowers in early summer, decorative orange fruits in winter, glossy foliage with attractive pale green new growth and it is easy to grow. Garcinia gerrardii is a large shrub, 45 m tall, or a small evergreen tree, 1013 m tall, with dark green, shiny, leathery, simple leaves arranged in pairs or threes. New growth is an attractive light green. The stems contain a yellow or reddish brown, sticky sap. Garcinia gerrardii saplings and branches are used to make whips. The fruits are edible, but they are not good to eat and are not eaten by people. The bark can be used for tanning. This species is used in traditional medicine. Leaves are used to treat earache and the bark is used in sprinkling charms to prevent lightning. The root sap is effective for killing snails, and recent studies have shown rootbark to be fungicidal against Cladosporium cucumerinum. Garcinia gerrardii is a decorative evergreen shrub suitable for semi-shade or shade. It is easy to grow, but slow growing, which makes it more manageable and suitable for smaller gardens as well as larger gardens and parks. It also does well in containers. Grow it in a warm spot, in semi-shade or shade, in well-drained, fertile soils, and water well in spring and summer for best results. Garcinia gerrardii is suitable for pot cultivation and with its slow growth, deep green foliage and showy fruits, it would make an interesting substitute for decorative citrus in pots. It is also a good choice for a difficult position in deep shade.