Brush-tailed Wake-robin Plant Care

Atalaya oligoclada S.T.Reynolds

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Atalaya oligoclada, is a species of shrub in the family Sapindaceae.

🌳Trees🌿Shrubs
Water

Every 7–14 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

60–85°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Brush-tailed Wake-robin?

Plant Brush-tailed Wake-robin in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 13a) and water a young tree every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F (16–29°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

What Is the Brush-tailed Wake-robin?

Brush-tailed Wake-robin (Atalaya oligoclada) belongs to the Sapindaceae family within the Atalaya genus. Brush-tailed Wake-robin is also known as Wake-robin.

Brush-tailed Wake-robin displays a medium-sized tree, upright habit growth habit, reaching up to 25 ft tall with a spread of approximately 15 ft. Brush-tailed Wake-robin produces small white flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Brush-tailed Wake-robin?

Water a young or newly planted Brush-tailed Wake-robin 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.

Watering Frequency

Every 7–14 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Brush-tailed Wake-robin Need?

Brush-tailed Wake-robin thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Brush-tailed Wake-robin Prefer?

Atalaya oligoclada tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Brush-tailed Wake-robin prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

60–85°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Brush-tailed Wake-robin?

Well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Brush-tailed Wake-robin to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Brush-tailed Wake-robin?

Feed Brush-tailed Wake-robin 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 Brush-tailed Wake-robin?

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Brush-tailed Wake-robin 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.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Brush-tailed Wake-robin?

Brush-tailed Wake-robin 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.

How Do You Prune a Brush-tailed Wake-robin?

Prune Brush-tailed Wake-robin 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 Brush-tailed Wake-robin in Winter?

Brush-tailed Wake-robin 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 Brush-tailed Wake-robin?

Brush-tailed Wake-robin can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to atalaya angustifolia plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Brush-tailed Wake-robin Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Brush-tailed Wake-robin, 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 Brush-tailed Wake-robin?

Brush-tailed Wake-robin is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, caterpillars. 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 Brush-tailed Wake-robin Need?

Brush-tailed Wake-robin grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Brush-tailed Wake-robin as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 13a

Keep exploring plants

Brush-tailed Wake-robin 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 Atalaya genus — compare its care with other Atalaya species on PlantoScan.

Atalaya is part of the Sapindaceae plant family — browse all Sapindaceae genera and species.

Brush-tailed Wake-robin thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Atalaya Species

Other Atalaya species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Atalaya oligoclada S.T.Reynolds, family Sapindaceae (first published in Austrobaileya 3: 494 (1991)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Brush-tailed Wake-robin, 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 13a, 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.

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