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Ehretia microphylla (Fukien tea tree)
10 hours care
per year
per year
4m
Max height
Max height
4m
Max spread
Max spread
10-20 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Ehretia microphylla
Other names
Fukien tea tree, Carmona microphylla, Philippine tea tree, Carmona heterophylla, Cordia retusa, Pala, Kodikarai, Bute
Genus
Ehretia Ehretia
Species
E. microphylla - E. microphylla is a tender, bushy, spreading, evergreen shrub or small tree with glossy, finely hairy, obovate to elliptic, dark green leaves, sometimes sparsely scalloped or shallowly lobed, particularly at the tip of the leaf. Small, fragrant, waxy, white flowers throughout the year are followed by spherical, green fruit ripening red or yellow.
Ehretia microphylla is: Evergreen
Habit
Dense, Spreading
Flower
White in All seasons
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Sensitive to insecticides.
Specific pests
Aphids , Mealybugs , Red spider mite (box and other) , Scale insects , Snails Aphids , Mealybugs , Red spider mite (box and other) , Scale insects , Snails
Root rot Root rot
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 1. May need restrictive pruning under glass. For bonsai or topiary, prune as needed to maintain desired shape/form.
Propagation
Cutting root better with bottom hear.
Propagation methods
Seed, Softwood cuttings, Stem tip cuttings
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Where to grow
Ehretia microphylla (Fukien tea tree) will reach a height of 4m and a spread of 4m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Bonsai, City, Containers, Greenhouse, Hedging/Screens, Sub-Tropical, Topiary, Wallside and trellises, Woodland
Cultivation
In frost free areas, grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained or well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. Avoid waterlogged conditions. Under glass, grow in loam-based compost in bright light with humidity. Water moderately & feed at half-strength weekly. Pot on every two years. A popular bonsai plant, it is also used in warm climates for hedges or topiary. Leaves and roots are used medicinally, particularly in the Philippines. Fruit can be consumed raw. An invasive weed in Hawaii.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3)
Companion plants
Botanical name
Ehretia microphylla
Other names
Fukien tea tree, Carmona microphylla, Philippine tea tree, Carmona heterophylla, Cordia retusa, Pala, Kodikarai, Bute
Genus
Ehretia Ehretia
Species
E. microphylla - E. microphylla is a tender, bushy, spreading, evergreen shrub or small tree with glossy, finely hairy, obovate to elliptic, dark green leaves, sometimes sparsely scalloped or shallowly lobed, particularly at the tip of the leaf. Small, fragrant, waxy, white flowers throughout the year are followed by spherical, green fruit ripening red or yellow.
Native to
Southeastern Asia, Southern Asia
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Dense, Spreading
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Colour
Flower
White in All seasons
Foliage
Dark-green in All seasons
How to care
Watch out for
Pests
Sensitive to insecticides.
Specific pests
Aphids , Mealybugs , Red spider mite (box and other) , Scale insects , Snails
Specific diseases
General care
Pruning
Pruning group 1. May need restrictive pruning under glass. For bonsai or topiary, prune as needed to maintain desired shape/form.
Propagation
Cutting root better with bottom hear.
Propagation methods
Seed, Softwood cuttings, Stem tip cuttings
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Ehretia microphylla (Fukien tea tree) will reach a height of 4m and a spread of 4m after 10-20 years.
Suggested uses
Bonsai, City, Containers, Greenhouse, Hedging/Screens, Sub-Tropical, Topiary, Wallside and trellises, Woodland
Cultivation
In frost free areas, grow in moderately fertile, moist but well-drained or well-drained soil in sun or partial shade. Avoid waterlogged conditions. Under glass, grow in loam-based compost in bright light with humidity. Water moderately & feed at half-strength weekly. Pot on every two years. A popular bonsai plant, it is also used in warm climates for hedges or topiary. Leaves and roots are used medicinally, particularly in the Philippines. Fruit can be consumed raw. An invasive weed in Hawaii.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3)
USDA zones
Zone 12, Zone 11, Zone 10
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3) | Tell us... |
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