Mexican Elephant Tree Plant Care

Mexican Elephant Tree (Bursera fagaroides) belongs to the Burseraceae family within the Bursera genus. Mexican Elephant Tree is also known as Torote Blanco.

Mexican Elephant Tree displays a tall, branching tree growth habit, reaching up to 30 ft tall with a spread of approximately 15 ft. Mexican Elephant Tree produces small, inconspicuous flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Mexican Elephant Tree every 14–21 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.

Mexican Elephant Tree thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Bursera fagaroides tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Mexican Elephant Tree prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining sandy soil mix with added perlite and gravel for good drainage. Good drainage is essential for Mexican Elephant Tree to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Mexican Elephant Tree every 8 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 sandy soil mix with added perlite and gravel for good drainage. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Mexican Elephant Tree 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.

Mexican Elephant Tree can spread to about 15 ft (4.6 m) and reach about 30 ft (9 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.

Prune Mexican Elephant Tree 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.

Mexican Elephant Tree 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.

Mexican Elephant Tree can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to gumbo-limbo plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Mexican Elephant Tree is susceptible to 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.

Mexican Elephant Tree grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Mexican Elephant Tree as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.