White Agathis Plant Care

White Agathis (Agathis alba) belongs to the Araucariaceae family within the Agathis genus. White Agathis is native to Sulawesi, the Maluku Islands and the Philippines. White Agathis is also known as White Dammar, Balam, Balam Tree.

White Agathis displays a tall, conical tree growth habit, reaching up to 100 ft tall with a spread of approximately 30 ft. White Agathis produces small male and female cones.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted White Agathis 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.

White Agathis thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Agathis alba tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. White Agathis prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Well-draining, acidic soil mix with added organic matter like peat moss or pine bark. Good drainage is essential for White Agathis to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed White Agathis every 8 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, acidic soil mix with added organic matter like peat moss or pine bark. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

White Agathis is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

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.

White Agathis can spread to about 30 ft (9.1 m) and reach about 100 ft (30 m) tall. Space plants about 30 ft (9.1 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 White Agathis 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.

White Agathis 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.

White Agathis can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to pacific kauri plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

White Agathis is susceptible to aphids, 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.

White Agathis grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. White Agathis is native to Sulawesi, the Maluku Islands and the Philippines. In cooler regions, grow White Agathis as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.