Butter Tree Plant Care

Butter Tree (Allanblackia ulugurensis) belongs to the Clusiaceae family within the Allanblackia genus. Butter Tree is also known as Seed Oil Tree.

Butter Tree displays a tall, upright tree growth habit, reaching up to 30 ft tall with a spread of approximately 15 ft. Butter Tree produces large, showy yellow blooms.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Butter Tree 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.

Butter Tree thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Allanblackia ulugurensis tolerates temperatures of 65–85°F. Butter Tree prefers humidity levels of 50–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

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

Feed Butter Tree 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, acidic soil with high organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Butter Tree is suited to USDA Zone 13b.

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.

Butter Tree can spread to about 15 ft (4.6 m) and reach about 30 ft (9 m) tall. Space plants about 15 ft (4.6 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 Butter Tree 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.

Butter Tree 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.

Butter Tree can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to butter tree plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Butter Tree is susceptible to mealybugs, 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.

Butter Tree grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. In cooler regions, grow Butter Tree as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.