Hairy Alectryon Plant Care

Alectryon coriaceus (Benth.) Radlk.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Alectryon coriaceus, known as the beach bird's eye, or beach alectryon is a rainforest tree of the soapberry family found in eastern Australia. The specific epithet coriaceus refers to the leathery thick leaves.

🌳Trees🌿Shrubs
Water

Every 7–14 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

60–85°F

Humidity

50–80%

At a glance

How do you care for Hairy Alectryon?

Plant Hairy Alectryon in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 13a) and water a young tree every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F (16–29°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Hairy Alectryon Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Hairy Alectryon?

Hairy Alectryon (Alectryon coriaceus) belongs to the Sapindaceae family within the Alectryon genus. Hairy Alectryon is native to eastern Australia. Hairy Alectryon is also known as Wild Quince.

Hairy Alectryon displays a tall, spreading tree growth habit, reaching up to 30 ft tall with a spread of approximately 20 ft. Hairy Alectryon produces small clusters of white or pink flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Hairy Alectryon?

Water a young or newly planted Hairy Alectryon 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.

Watering Frequency

Every 7–14 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Hairy Alectryon Need?

Hairy Alectryon thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Hairy Alectryon Prefer?

Alectryon coriaceus tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Hairy Alectryon prefers humidity levels of 50–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Temperature

60–85°F

Humidity

50–80%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Hairy Alectryon?

Well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Hairy Alectryon to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Hairy Alectryon?

Feed Hairy Alectryon 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.

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 Hairy Alectryon?

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Hairy Alectryon 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.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Hairy Alectryon?

Hairy Alectryon can spread to about 20 ft (6.1 m) and reach about 30 ft (9 m) tall. Space plants about 20 ft (6.1 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.

How Do You Prune a Hairy Alectryon?

Prune Hairy Alectryon 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.

How Do You Care for a Hairy Alectryon in Winter?

Hairy Alectryon 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 Hairy Alectryon?

Hairy Alectryon can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to wild quince plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Hairy Alectryon Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Hairy Alectryon, 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 Hairy Alectryon?

Hairy Alectryon is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, caterpillars. 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 Hairy Alectryon Need?

Hairy Alectryon grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Hairy Alectryon is native to eastern Australia. In cooler regions, grow Hairy Alectryon as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 13a

Keep exploring plants

Hairy Alectryon 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 Alectryon genus — compare its care with other Alectryon species on PlantoScan.

Alectryon is part of the Sapindaceae plant family — browse all Sapindaceae genera and species.

Hairy Alectryon 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: Alectryon coriaceus (Benth.) Radlk., family Sapindaceae (first published in Actes Congr. Int. Bot., Amsterdam 1877 118. 1879) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Hairy Alectryon, 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.

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

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