Noble Anthocleista Plant Care
Anthocleista nobilis G.Don
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Anthocleista nobilis, commonly known as cabbage tree, candelarum, and cabbage palm, is a species of plant in the Gentianaceae family. It is a tree that is found from West Tropical Africa to Angola.
Every 7–10 days
Bright indirect light
65–80°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Noble Anthocleista?
Plant Noble Anthocleista in bright indirect light (USDA zones 13b) and water a young tree 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.
What Is the Noble Anthocleista?
Noble Anthocleista (Anthocleista nobilis) belongs to the Gentianaceae family within the Anthocleista genus.
Noble Anthocleista displays a tall, upright shrub growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Noble Anthocleista produces fragrant white or pink tubular flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 8 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Noble Anthocleista?
Water a young or newly planted Noble Anthocleista every 7–10 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 7–10 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Noble Anthocleista Need?
Noble Anthocleista thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Noble Anthocleista in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Noble Anthocleista Prefer?
Anthocleista nobilis tolerates temperatures of 65–80°F. Noble Anthocleista 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 Noble Anthocleista?
Rich, well-draining soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Noble Anthocleista to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Noble Anthocleista?
Feed Noble Anthocleista 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 Noble Anthocleista?
Choose a spot with bright indirect light and rich, well-draining soil with high organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Noble Anthocleista 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.
How Far Apart Should You Plant a Noble Anthocleista?
Noble Anthocleista can spread to about 3 ft (0.9 m) and reach about 6 ft (2 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 tree spacing calculator.
How Do You Prune a Noble Anthocleista?
Prune Noble Anthocleista 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 Noble Anthocleista in Winter?
Noble Anthocleista 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 Noble Anthocleista?
Noble Anthocleista can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to climbing anthocleista plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Noble Anthocleista Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Noble Anthocleista, 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 Noble Anthocleista?
Noble Anthocleista 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 Noble Anthocleista Need?
Noble Anthocleista grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. In cooler regions, grow Noble Anthocleista as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
Noble Anthocleista 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 Anthocleista genus — compare its care with other Anthocleista species on PlantoScan.
Anthocleista is part of the Gentianaceae plant family — browse all Gentianaceae genera and species.
Noble Anthocleista thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Anthocleista Species
Other Anthocleista species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Anthocleista nobilis G.Don, family Gentianaceae (first published in Gen. Hist. 4: 68 (1837)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Noble Anthocleista, 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 13b, 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.
