Red Ash Plant Care

Red Ash (Alphitonia zizyphoides) belongs to the Rhamnaceae family within the Alphitonia genus. Red Ash is native to the Cook Islands, Fiji, Niue, the Samoan Islands, the Society Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu, and Wallis and Futuna. Red Ash is also known as White Ash, Soapwood, Coral Tree.

Red Ash displays a small to medium-sized tree growth habit, reaching up to 25 ft tall with a spread of approximately 15 ft. Red Ash produces small clusters of white or cream-colored flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Red Ash 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.

Red Ash thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Alphitonia zizyphoides tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. Red Ash prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Red Ash to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Red Ash 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 loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Red Ash is suited to USDA Zone 11a – 12b.

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.

Red Ash can spread to about 15 ft (4.6 m) and reach about 25 ft (8 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 Red Ash 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.

Red Ash 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.

Red Ash can be propagated through seeds, hardwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to red ash plant care, which shares the same genus.

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Red Ash is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, leaf miners. 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.

Red Ash grows outdoors in USDA Zone 11a – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 11a. Red Ash is native to the Cook Islands, Fiji, Niue, the Samoan Islands, the Society Islands, Tonga, Vanuatu, and Wallis and Futuna. In cooler regions, grow Red Ash as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.