Photo: Marshman at English Wikipedia / Eric GuintherCC BY-SA 3.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
Mexican Gum Tree Plant Care
Ateleia gummifera (Bertero ex DC.) D.Dietr.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Ateleia gummifera is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae. It is found only in Cuba.
Every 7–10 days
Bright indirect light
65–80°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Mexican Gum Tree?
Water Mexican Gum Tree every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect light. It prefers temperatures of 65–80°F (18–27°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Mexican Gum Tree?
Mexican Gum Tree (Ateleia gummifera) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Ateleia genus. Mexican Gum Tree is also known as Mexican Copal, Ateleia gummifera.
Mexican Gum Tree displays a vining, climbing shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Mexican Gum Tree produces small clusters of fragrant white or pink flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Mexican Gum Tree?
Ateleia gummifera requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Mexican Gum Tree Need?
Mexican Gum Tree thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Mexican Gum Tree in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Mexican Gum Tree Prefer?
Ateleia gummifera grows best at temperatures of 65–80°F. Mexican Gum Tree 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 Mexican Gum Tree?
Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Mexican Gum Tree to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Mexican Gum Tree?
Feed Mexican Gum Tree every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Mexican Gum Tree?
Repot every 1-2 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Mexican Gum Tree?
Mexican Gum Tree can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to ateleia popenoei plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Mexican Gum Tree Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Mexican Gum Tree, 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 Mexican Gum Tree?
Mexican Gum Tree is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. 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 Mexican Gum Tree Need?
Mexican Gum Tree grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. In cooler regions, grow Mexican Gum Tree as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
Mexican Gum Tree 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 Ateleia genus — compare its care with other Ateleia species on PlantoScan.
Ateleia is part of the Fabaceae plant family — browse all Fabaceae genera and species.
Mexican Gum Tree thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Ateleia gummifera (Bertero ex DC.) D.Dietr., family Fabaceae (first published in Syn. Pl. 4: 1219 (1847)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Mexican Gum Tree, 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.
- Photo: Marshman at English Wikipedia / Eric Guinther, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
- 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.
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