Photo: Cesar OrmazabalCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Celastrus Azara Plant Care
Azara celastrina D.Don
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
With its shimmering golden-yellow leaves that resemble tiny sunbursts, this plant originates from the forests of Chile and Argentina. Plant collectors are drawn to Azara celastrina for its unique and striking foliage, adding a touch of brightness and interest to any garden or landscape.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Celastrus Azara?
Plant Celastrus Azara in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 8b–10b) and water a young tree every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Celastrus Azara Native To?
What Is the Celastrus Azara?
Celastrus Azara (Azara celastrina) belongs to the Salicaceae family within the Azara genus. Celastrus Azara is native to Central Chile.
Celastrus Azara displays an upright, dense shrub growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Celastrus Azara produces small, fragrant yellow blooms in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Celastrus Azara?
Water a young or newly planted Celastrus Azara 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 Celastrus Azara Need?
Celastrus Azara thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Celastrus Azara Prefer?
Azara celastrina tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Celastrus Azara prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Celastrus Azara?
Well-draining, slightly acidic soil with added organic matter like compost. Good drainage is essential for Celastrus Azara to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Celastrus Azara?
Feed Celastrus Azara 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 Celastrus Azara?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining, slightly acidic soil with added organic matter like compost. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Celastrus Azara is suited to USDA Zone 8b – 10b.
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 Celastrus Azara?
Celastrus Azara can spread to about 4 ft (1.2 m) and reach about 6 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 4 ft (1.2 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 Celastrus Azara?
Prune Celastrus Azara 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 Celastrus Azara in Winter?
Celastrus Azara is hardy down to USDA zone 8b, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.
Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.
Young and container-grown trees need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.
How Do You Propagate a Celastrus Azara?
Celastrus Azara can be propagated through softwood cuttings, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to toothed azara plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Celastrus Azara Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Celastrus Azara, 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 Celastrus Azara?
Celastrus Azara is susceptible to aphids, 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Celastrus Azara Need?
Celastrus Azara grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8b – 10b. It survives winters down to planting zone 8b. Celastrus Azara is native to Central Chile.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 8b – 10b
Keep exploring plants
Celastrus Azara 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 Azara genus — compare its care with other Azara species on PlantoScan.
Azara is part of the Salicaceae plant family — browse all Salicaceae genera and species.
Celastrus Azara 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: Azara celastrina D.Don, family Salicaceae (first published in Edinburgh New Philos. J. 10(Dec.): 119 (1830)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Celastrus Azara, 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: Cesar Ormazabal, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 8b – 10b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- 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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