Byrsonima crassa Plant Care

Byrsonima crassa (Byrsonima crassa) belongs to the Malpighiaceae family within the Byrsonima genus. Byrsonima crassa is native to Brazil and Paraguay.

Byrsonima crassa displays an upright, spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Byrsonima crassa produces small yellow flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Byrsonima crassa 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.

Byrsonima crassa thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Byrsonima crassa tolerates temperatures of 65–85°F. Byrsonima crassa prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Byrsonima crassa to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Byrsonima crassa 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 sandy loam with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Byrsonima crassa is suited to USDA Zone 13b.

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.

Byrsonima crassa 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.

Prune Byrsonima crassa 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.

Byrsonima crassa 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.

Byrsonima crassa can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to nance plant care, which shares the same genus.

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Byrsonima crassa 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.

Byrsonima crassa grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Byrsonima crassa is native to Brazil and Paraguay. In cooler regions, grow Byrsonima crassa as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.