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Chinaberry

About Chinaberry

Chinaberry is an invasive tree in the southeast. Chinaberry was brought to the U.S. in the late 1700s by a French botanist. It has been used over the years as an ornamental plant, shade tree, and fuelwood.

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Melia azedarach

Genus

Melia

Family

Meliaceae

Order

Sapindales

Also known as

Chinaberry tree, Pride of india, Bead-tree, Cape lilac, Syringa berrytree, Persian lilac, Indian lilac, White cedar and The woody seed within the fruit is highly poisonous to humans (6-8 seeds could kill a small child or animal) but not birds."

How to care for Chinaberry

💦 Water

How often to water your Chinaberry

Chinaberry needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 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
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

No Yes

Select the pot size

☀️ Light

Finding light for Chinaberry in your home

Chinaberry love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Chinaberry does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Chinaberry in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Chinaberry

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Chinaberry: repot after 2X growth

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 Chinaberry after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

Chinaberry can be challenging to care for, according to some plant parents. Check out the reviews down below to learn from their experiences!

Benefits of Growing Chinaberry →

Common Chinaberry Problems →

💦 Water Needs

Chinaberry prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Chinaberry Water Frequency →

Chinaberry Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Chinaberry 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 🏡.

Chinaberry Light Requirements →

Chinaberry Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Chinaberry is extremely dangerous if consumed. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian immediately. Chinaberry is not recommended for homes with children, cats, or dogs.

Is Chinaberry Edible? →

Chinaberry Toxicity to Cats →

Chinaberry Toxicity to Dogs →

Chinaberry Toxicity to Humans →

🪴 Soil

Chinaberry does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!

Best Soil Mix for Chinaberry →

When and How to Successfully Repot Chinaberry →

What Are Healthy Chinaberry Roots →

💩 Fertilizer

Chinaberry is a fast growing plant and may deplete the nutrients in its soil over time. Replenish them with a gentle organic fertilizer or compost every 1-2 months depending on your location and season. Fertilize more often during the growing season and in warmer and brighter climates.

How Much and When to Fertilize Chinaberry →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Chinaberry can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 7a-11b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Chinaberry Temperature Tolerance →

Chinaberry Hardiness Zones →

Is Chinaberry a Weed? →

🌱 Propagation

How to Propagate Chinaberry →

🍂 Yellow Leaves

Yellow leaves aren’t always a reason to panic, and can be a normal part of a plant’s life cycle. Unless brand new leaves are turning yellow or all the leaves change color at once, it’s likely just your plant shedding old leaves.

Overwatering and root rot are the most likely cause of problems in Chinaberry, since they are sensitive to wet soil. The leaves may also appear to be curling or drooping. Less often, yellow leaves are caused by underwatering, nutrient deficiencies, or pests.

Replace soggy soil with fresh, dry soil and download Greg to make sure your plant never gets overwatered again!

🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.