Actinocheita filicina Plant Care
Actinocheita filicina (DC.) F.A.Barkley
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Actinocheita filicina, commonly known as palo tostado, is a plant species in the family Anacardiaceae, and the only living representative of the monotypic genus Actinocheita.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–85°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Actinocheita filicina?
Plant Actinocheita filicina in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 13a) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F (16–29°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Actinocheita filicina?
Actinocheita filicina (Actinocheita filicina) belongs to the Anacardiaceae family within the Actinocheita genus.
Actinocheita filicina displays a compact, spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 2.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Actinocheita filicina produces small clusters of white or pink flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Actinocheita filicina?
Water a young or newly planted Actinocheita filicina every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Actinocheita filicina Need?
Actinocheita filicina thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Actinocheita filicina Prefer?
Actinocheita filicina tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Actinocheita filicina prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–85°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Actinocheita filicina?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Actinocheita filicina to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Actinocheita filicina?
Feed Actinocheita filicina every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs 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.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
Where Should You Plant a Actinocheita filicina?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Actinocheita filicina is suited to USDA Zone 13a.
Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.
How Far Apart Should You Plant a Actinocheita filicina?
Actinocheita filicina can spread to about 3 ft (0.9 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 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 plant spacing calculator.
How Do You Prune a Actinocheita filicina?
Prune Actinocheita filicina 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 shrub in one year.
How Do You Care for a Actinocheita filicina in Winter?
Actinocheita filicina is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.
How Do You Propagate a Actinocheita filicina?
Actinocheita filicina can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings.
Is the Actinocheita filicina Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Actinocheita filicina, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Actinocheita filicina?
Actinocheita filicina is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, spider mites. 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Actinocheita filicina Need?
Actinocheita filicina grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Actinocheita filicina as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Actinocheita filicina is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Actinocheita genus — compare its care with other Actinocheita species on PlantoScan.
Actinocheita is part of the Anacardiaceae plant family — browse all Anacardiaceae genera and species.
Actinocheita filicina thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Actinocheita filicina (DC.) F.A.Barkley, family Anacardiaceae (first published in Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 1937, xxiv. 2.) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Actinocheita filicina, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
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