Devil's Cotton Plant Care

Devil's Cotton (Abroma augustum) belongs to the Malvaceae family within the Abroma genus. Devil's Cotton is native to tropical Asia, ranging from the Himalayas and southern China through Indochina and Malesia to New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. Devil's Cotton is also known as Indian Hemp, Ulat Kambing.

Devil's Cotton displays a tall, upright shrub growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Devil's Cotton produces large, showy flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white.

Leaf size: approximately 8 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Devil's Cotton every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Devil's Cotton thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Devil's Cotton in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Abroma augustum tolerates temperatures of 65–80°F. Devil's Cotton prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Rich, well-draining soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Good drainage is essential for Devil's Cotton to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Devil's Cotton every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with bright indirect light and rich, well-draining soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Devil's Cotton is suited to USDA Zone 10a – 12b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Devil's Cotton can spread to about 3 ft (0.9 m) and reach about 6 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 3 ft (0.9 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Devil's Cotton while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Devil's Cotton is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 10). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Devil's Cotton can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Devil's Cotton is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Devil's Cotton grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10a – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10a. Devil's Cotton is native to tropical Asia, ranging from the Himalayas and southern China through Indochina and Malesia to New Guinea and the Solomon Islands. In cooler regions, grow Devil's Cotton as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.