Common Poison Bush Plant Care

Common Poison Bush (Acokanthera oppositifolia) belongs to the Apocynaceae family within the Acokanthera genus. Common Poison Bush is also known as Bushman's Poison, Bitter Bush.

Common Poison Bush displays a large evergreen shrub growth habit, reaching up to 10 ft tall with a spread of approximately 8 ft. Common Poison Bush produces small clusters of fragrant white or pink flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Common Poison Bush every 7–14 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.

Common Poison Bush thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Acokanthera oppositifolia tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. Common Poison Bush prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Common Poison Bush to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Common Poison Bush 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 full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Common Poison Bush is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

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.

Common Poison Bush can spread to about 8 ft (2.4 m) and reach about 10 ft (3 m) tall. Space plants about 8 ft (2.4 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 Common Poison Bush 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.

Common Poison Bush is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Common Poison Bush can be propagated through seeds, hardwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to round-leaved bush plant care, which shares the same genus.

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Common Poison Bush is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, scale insects. 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.

Common Poison Bush grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Common Poison Bush as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.