The Cape Star-chestnut is a beautiful, small, ornamental tree and of horticultural interest because of the thickset, succulent stem with silvery bark. It can also be sprawling with twisted trunks, and it suckers and coppices readily. It grows fairly fast and is best for dry thicket or savanna gardens (Van Jaarsveld 2010). Because of the succulent roots, it is best to grow it away from paths and buildings where it can do no damage. It grows in full sun, but will tolerate light shade. It is easily propagated by both seeds and semi-hardwood cuttings. Plants prefer a soil that is well-drained and slightly acidic. In spite of the heavy winter rain at Kirstenbosch, they do well in the garden, although a plant that grew for years adjacent to the Camphor Avenue was ripped apart by gale-force winds during the winter storms of 2015.

Sterculia alexandri seed should be sown preferably fresh during the warmer months, in a shady position. Sow in seed trays in sandy soil which drains well. According to Palmer & Pittman (1972), seed is best placed on top of the soil, and kept moist but not wet. Protect from rats and mice. Once germinated the root forms a little tuber from which the tap root grows. Germination is presumably within three weeks. Seedlings grow slowly and are best planted out when large enough to handle. Propagation from stem cuttings is best undertaken in spring and summer. Cuttings of about 150–300 mm long, are ideal, grow them in sand or in a mixture of peat and polystyrene. Keep moist and rooting is usually after about four to six weeks. Once rooted, they can be planted in individual containers and grown on until well established. Young plants grow rapidly and are best fed with an organic fertilizer (compost or any other liquid fertilizer). In winter the plants are at rest, and watering should be stopped.