Callicarpa macrophylla Plant Care
Callicarpa macrophylla Vahl
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Callicarpa macrophylla is a species of beautyberry native to the Indian subcontinent. Its fruits are small white drupes.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Callicarpa macrophylla?
Plant Callicarpa macrophylla in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young tree every 7–14 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 Callicarpa macrophylla Native To?
What Is the Callicarpa macrophylla?
Callicarpa macrophylla (Callicarpa macrophylla) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Callicarpa genus. Callicarpa macrophylla is native to the Indian subcontinent.
Callicarpa macrophylla displays an upright, spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 6 ft. Callicarpa macrophylla produces clusters of small, colorful berries.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Callicarpa macrophylla?
Water a young or newly planted Callicarpa macrophylla 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 Callicarpa macrophylla Need?
Callicarpa macrophylla thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Callicarpa macrophylla Prefer?
Callicarpa macrophylla tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Callicarpa macrophylla prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Callicarpa macrophylla?
Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Callicarpa macrophylla to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Callicarpa macrophylla?
Feed Callicarpa macrophylla 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 Callicarpa macrophylla?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Callicarpa macrophylla is suited to USDA Zone 12a.
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 Callicarpa macrophylla?
Callicarpa macrophylla can spread to about 6 ft (1.8 m) and reach about 6 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 6 ft (1.8 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 Callicarpa macrophylla?
Prune Callicarpa macrophylla 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 Callicarpa macrophylla in Winter?
Callicarpa macrophylla is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). 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 Callicarpa macrophylla?
Callicarpa macrophylla can be propagated through softwood cuttings, hardwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to mexican beautyberry plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Callicarpa macrophylla Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Callicarpa macrophylla, 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 Callicarpa macrophylla?
Callicarpa macrophylla 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 Callicarpa macrophylla Need?
Callicarpa macrophylla grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Callicarpa macrophylla is native to the Indian subcontinent. In cooler regions, grow Callicarpa macrophylla as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Callicarpa macrophylla 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 Callicarpa genus — compare its care with other Callicarpa species on PlantoScan.
Callicarpa is part of the Lamiaceae plant family — browse all Lamiaceae genera and species.
Callicarpa macrophylla thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Callicarpa Species
Other Callicarpa species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Callicarpa macrophylla Vahl, family Lamiaceae (first published in Symb. Bot. 3: 13 (1794)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Callicarpa macrophylla, 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 12a, 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.
