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Skimmia

About Skimmia

Japanese Skimmia is a low, evergreen shrub that grows to 4 feet tall and as wide or wider. It provides year-round interest with evergreen leaves, showy spring flowers in clusters and red fall drupes that persist into winter. It has also been used in bonsai.

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Skimmia japonica

Genus

Skimmia

Family

Rutaceae

Order

Sapindales

Also known as

Japanese skimmia

How to care for Skimmia

💦 Water

How often to water your Skimmia

Skimmia 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 Skimmia in your home

Skimmia may have difficulty thriving, and will drop leaves 🍃, without ample sunlight.

Place it less than 3 feet from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

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

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Skimmia

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Skimmia: 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 Skimmia after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

Skimmia is generally considered an easy-to-care-for plant and makes a great choice for beginners!

How to Grow Skimmia →

Benefits of Growing Skimmia →

Common Skimmia Problems →

Indoor Care Guide for Skimmia →

Outdoor Care Guide for Skimmia →

💦 Water Needs

Skimmia 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.

Skimmia Water Frequency →

Skimmia Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Skimmia may have difficulty thriving and will drop leaves 🍃 without ample sunlight. Place it less than 3 feet from a window to maximize the potential for growth. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Skimmia Light Requirements →

Skimmia Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Skimmia 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. Skimmia is not recommended for homes with children, cats, or dogs.

🪴 Soil

Skimmia 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 Skimmia →

Best Pots for Skimmia →

When and How to Successfully Repot Skimmia →

What Are Healthy Skimmia Roots →

💩 Fertilizer

Skimmia grows very slowly and doesn’t require added fertilizer. Replacing your plant’s potting soil once a year should provide them with more than enough nutrition. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

How Much and When to Fertilize Skimmia →

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Skimmia grows along the ground and sends out shoots which will spread across the soil.

Skimmia Lifecycle →

Skimmia Size Guide →

How and When to Prune Skimmia →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Skimmia can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 6a-8b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Skimmia Temperature Tolerance →

Skimmia Hardiness Zones →

Landscaping Ideas with Skimmia →

When to Plant Skimmia →

How to Plant Skimmia →

Where to Plant Skimmia →

Winter Care for Skimmia →

Best Companion Plants for Skimmia →

Is Skimmia a Weed? →

🌱 Propagation

Skimmia can be propagated by the stem method. To propagate:

Make a cut just above the node. The node is the break in the stem where the leaf emerges.
To get the cutting to root, you can either:
- Place the cutting in water until roots emerge and are ~2” long and then transplant into well-draining soil, or
- Place the cutting directly into well-draining soil and water when dry.

How to Propagate Skimmia →

🍂 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 Skimmia, 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.