gumbo-limbo
About gumbo-limbo
gumbo-limbo is a super rare houseplant 🌿 that needs very little water to thrive. They do best in long-lasting, direct light ☀️ and should be less than 1 foot from a window.
Taxonomy
Bursera simaruba
Bursera
Also known as
gumbo-limbo, copperwood, chaca, naked Indian and turpentine tree
How to care for gumbo-limbo
Water
How often to water your gumbo-limbo
every 12
gumbo-limbo needs 0.5 cups of water every 12 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.
Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Water 0.5 cups every
12
Light
Check the growing potential in your area
A plant's growing potential is determined from its location, the time of year, and current local weather.
Select a city to check sunlight intensity
Finding light for gumbo-limbo in your home
a window
gumbo-limbo love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.
Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.
gumbo-limbo does not tolerate low-light 🚫.
Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of gumbo-limbo in your home 🏡.
Nutrients
How to fertilize gumbo-limbo
Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.
By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.
To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your gumbo-limbo after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.
FAQs
gumbo-limbo thrives in dry soil and should be watered sparingly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.
Sunlight Needs
gumbo-limbo requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.
Toxicity
Greg does not have confirmed data on this plant’s toxicity. If you, a family member, or a pet consumes plant material of unknown toxicity, it’s always best to consult a medical professional.
If you or someone else ingested this plant, call Poison Control at US (800) 222-1222. If a pet consumed this plant, contact your veterinarian or the ASPCA at US (888) 426-4435.
Growth Pattern
gumbo-limbo will branch off as it grows. To encourage branching, pinch off the newest growth at the tip and the stem will branch off into two.
Growing Outdoors
USDA Hardiness Zone
gumbo-limbo can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 10a-12b. Find your local hardiness zone here.
Care Summary for gumbo-limbo
gumbo-limbo
Greg recommends:
Water
0.5 cups every 12 days
Placement
< 1ft from a window
Nutrients
Repot after 2x growth
Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.
