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Chinese Tallow

About Chinese Tallow

Chinese tallow is a drought-tolerant shade tree in the Euphorbiaceae family. It was introduced in South Carolina in the 1700's as an ornamental tree. It can reach heights and widths of 40 feet with a 3-foot diameter. It has been placed on the State of Florida Noxious Weed List and on FLEPPC's Exotic Pest Plant Council's List of Invasive Species.

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Triadica sebifera

Genus

Triadica

Family

Euphorbiaceae

Order

Malpighiales

Also known as

Chinese tallow, Chinese tallowtree, Florida aspen, Chicken tree, Gray popcorn tree and Candleberry tree

How to care for Chinese Tallow

💦 Water

How often to water your Chinese Tallow

Chinese Tallow 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 Chinese Tallow in your home

Chinese Tallow love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

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

Chinese Tallow does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

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

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Chinese Tallow

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

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

Chinese Tallow is generally easy to care for, though some plant parents report facing challenges with growing it. Check out the reviews down below to read more about their experiences!

Common Chinese Tallow Problems →

💦 Water Needs

Chinese Tallow 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.

Chinese Tallow Water Frequency →

Chinese Tallow Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Chinese Tallow 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 🏡.

Chinese Tallow Light Requirements →

Chinese Tallow Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

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

Is Chinese Tallow Edible? →

Chinese Tallow Toxicity to Cats →

Chinese Tallow Toxicity to Dogs →

Chinese Tallow Toxicity to Humans →

🪴 Soil

Chinese Tallow is very sensitive to dry soil, so choose a potting soil that retains moisture. A good soil will still drain well and contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir or sphagnum moss.

When and How to Successfully Repot Chinese Tallow →

What Are Healthy Chinese Tallow Roots →

💩 Fertilizer

Chinese Tallow 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 Chinese Tallow →

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Chinese Tallow 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.

Chinese Tallow Lifecycle →

Chinese Tallow Size Guide →

How and When to Prune Chinese Tallow →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Chinese Tallow can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 8a-10b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Chinese Tallow Temperature Tolerance →

Chinese Tallow Hardiness Zones →

Is Chinese Tallow a Weed? →

🌱 Propagation

The seeds of Chinese Tallow can be used to grow new plants! After your plant flowers, any seeds that formed can be collected and germinated in potting soil.

🍂 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 Chinese Tallow, 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.