Torchwood Plant Care

Torchwood (Amyris elemifera) belongs to the Rutaceae family within the Amyris genus. Torchwood is native to Florida in the United States, the Caribbean, and the Central American countries of Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador. Torchwood is also known as West Indian Torchwood, Elemi Tree.

Torchwood displays a small tree, shrub growth habit, reaching up to 10 ft tall with a spread of approximately 8 ft. Torchwood produces small clusters of white or cream-colored flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Torchwood 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.

Torchwood thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Amyris elemifera tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Torchwood prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining sandy soil mix with added organic matter for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Torchwood to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Torchwood 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 sandy soil mix with added organic matter for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Torchwood 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.

Torchwood can spread to about 8 ft (2.4 m) and reach about 10 ft (3 m) tall. Space plants about 8 ft (2.4 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 Torchwood 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.

Torchwood 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.

Torchwood can be propagated through seeds, semi-hardwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to amyris madrensis plant care, which shares the same genus.

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Torchwood is susceptible to 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.

Torchwood grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Torchwood is native to Florida in the United States, the Caribbean, and the Central American countries of Guatemala, Belize, Honduras, and El Salvador. In cooler regions, grow Torchwood as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.