Madrone Plant Care

Madrone (Arbutus tessellata) belongs to the Ericaceae family within the Arbutus genus. Madrone is native to a variety of habitats including Coastal chaparral and Mixed evergreen scrub and woodland.

Madrone displays a small to medium-sized evergreen tree growth habit, reaching up to 30 ft tall with a spread of approximately 20 ft. Madrone produces clusters of small, bell-shaped white or pink flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Madrone 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.

Madrone thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Arbutus tessellata tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Madrone prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining acidic soil with high organic matter, such as a mix of peat moss, pine bark, and perlite. Good drainage is essential for Madrone to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Madrone 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 matter, such as a mix of peat moss, pine bark, and perlite. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Madrone is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

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.

Madrone 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.

Prune Madrone 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.

Madrone is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Madrone can be propagated through seeds, semi-hardwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to greek strawberry tree plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Madrone is susceptible to spider mites, scale insects, aphids. 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.

Madrone grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Madrone is native to a variety of habitats including Coastal chaparral and Mixed evergreen scrub and woodland. In cooler regions, grow Madrone as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.