Flowering Alchornea Plant Care

Alchornea floribunda Müll.Arg.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

With its large, glossy, heart-shaped leaves and vibrant green coloration, this plant originating from West Africa stands out in any collection. Plant collectors are drawn to its unique foliage and its ability to thrive in both indoor and outdoor settings, making it a versatile and attractive addition to any garden.

🌿Shrubs🪴Houseplants🌵Succulents
Water

Every 7–10 days

Light

Bright indirect light

Temp

65–80°F

Humidity

50–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Flowering Alchornea?

Plant Flowering Alchornea in bright indirect light (USDA zones 11a–12b) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 65–80°F (18–27°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Flowering Alchornea Native To?

Native range40 countries

What Is the Flowering Alchornea?

Flowering Alchornea (Alchornea floribunda) belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family within the Alchornea genus. Flowering Alchornea is native to tropical Africa.

Flowering Alchornea displays an upright, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 4 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Flowering Alchornea produces small greenish flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 5 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Flowering Alchornea?

Water a young or newly planted Flowering Alchornea 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 Flowering Alchornea Need?

Flowering Alchornea thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Flowering Alchornea in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Light Requirement

Bright indirect light

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Flowering Alchornea Prefer?

Alchornea floribunda tolerates temperatures of 65–80°F. Flowering Alchornea prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Temperature

65–80°F

Humidity

50–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Flowering Alchornea?

Well-draining soil mix with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Flowering Alchornea to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Flowering Alchornea?

Feed Flowering Alchornea 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 Flowering Alchornea?

Choose a spot with bright indirect light and well-draining soil mix with high organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Flowering Alchornea is suited to USDA Zone 11a – 12b.

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 Flowering Alchornea?

Flowering Alchornea can spread to about 3 ft (0.9 m) and reach about 4 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 Flowering Alchornea?

Prune Flowering Alchornea 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 Flowering Alchornea in Winter?

Flowering Alchornea is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 11). 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 Flowering Alchornea?

Flowering Alchornea can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to heartleaf alchornea plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Flowering Alchornea Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Flowering Alchornea, 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 Flowering Alchornea?

Flowering Alchornea 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.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Flowering Alchornea Need?

Flowering Alchornea grows outdoors in USDA Zone 11a – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 11a. Flowering Alchornea is native to tropical Africa. In cooler regions, grow Flowering Alchornea as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 11a – 12b

Keep exploring plants

Flowering Alchornea 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 Alchornea genus — compare its care with other Alchornea species on PlantoScan.

Alchornea is part of the Euphorbiaceae plant family — browse all Euphorbiaceae genera and species.

Flowering Alchornea 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: Alchornea floribunda Müll.Arg., family Euphorbiaceae (first published in J. Bot. 2: 336 (1864)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Flowering Alchornea, 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 11a – 12b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
  • 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.

Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.

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