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Western Poison Oak

Also known as

Western Poison-Oak, Western Poison-Oak, Pacific poison oak and Western poison oak

Taxonomy

Scientific name

Toxicodendron diversilobum

Genus

Toxicodendron

Family

Anacardiaceae

Order

Sapindales

How to care for Western Poison Oak

💦 Water

How often to water your Western Poison Oak

Western Poison Oak 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 Western Poison-Oak in your home

Western Poison Oak love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

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

Western Poison Oak does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

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

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Western Poison Oak

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

Just realized I have both in my back yard, poison Ivy and Poison oak. What is the best way to get rid of these. I am highly allergic. Plus I have two dogs can they bring it into the house? TY

Browse #WesternPoisonOak

💡 FAQs

⭐ Difficulty Level

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

How to Grow Western Poison-Oak →

Benefits of Growing Western Poison-Oak →

Common Western Poison-Oak Problems →

Outdoor Care Guide for Western Poison-Oak →

💦 Water Needs

Western Poison Oak 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.

Western Poison-Oak Water Frequency →

Western Poison-Oak Root Rot →

☀️ Sunlight Needs

Western Poison Oak 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 🏡.

Western Poison-Oak Light Requirements →

Western Poison-Oak Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →

🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Western Poison Oak 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. Western Poison Oak is not recommended for homes with children, cats, or dogs.

🪴 Soil

Western Poison Oak 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 Western Poison-Oak →

Best Pots for Western Poison-Oak →

When and How to Successfully Repot Western Poison-Oak →

What Are Healthy Western Poison-Oak Roots →

💩 Fertilizer

Western Poison Oak should be repotted after it doubles in size or once a year, whichever comes first. Fresh potting soil has all the nutrients your plant needs, so as long as it’s refreshed yearly, you shouldn’t need to use fertilizer. Remember, plants get their energy from sunlight, not fertilizer!

How Much and When to Fertilize Western Poison-Oak →

⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Western Poison Oak 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.

Western Poison-Oak Lifecycle →

Western Poison-Oak Size Guide →

How and When to Prune Western Poison-Oak →

🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Western Poison Oak can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 5a-9b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Western Poison-Oak Temperature Tolerance →

Western Poison-Oak Hardiness Zones →

Landscaping Ideas with Western Poison-Oak →

When to Plant Western Poison-Oak →

How to Plant Western Poison-Oak →

Where to Plant Western Poison-Oak →

Winter Care for Western Poison-Oak →

Best Companion Plants for Western Poison-Oak →

Is Western Poison-Oak a Weed? →

🍂 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 Western Poison Oak, 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.