Sodom Apple Plant Care

Sodom Apple (Calotropis procera) belongs to the Apocynaceae family within the Calotropis genus. Sodom Apple is native to Northern and Tropical Africa, Western Asia, South Asia and Indochina. Sodom Apple is also known as Giant Milkweed, Calotropis.

Sodom Apple displays an upright, branching shrub growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Sodom Apple produces large clusters of showy, star-shaped flowers in white or purple.

Leaf size: approximately 8 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Sodom Apple 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.

Sodom Apple thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Calotropis procera tolerates temperatures of 65–85°F. Sodom Apple prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining sandy soil mix with good aeration. Good drainage is essential for Sodom Apple to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Sodom Apple 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 soil mix with good aeration. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Sodom Apple is suited to USDA Zone 10a – 12b.

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.

Sodom Apple 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 Sodom Apple 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.

Sodom Apple is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 10). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Sodom Apple can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to crown flower plant care, which shares the same genus.

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Sodom Apple is susceptible to aphids, 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.

Sodom Apple grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10a – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10a. Sodom Apple is native to Northern and Tropical Africa, Western Asia, South Asia and Indochina. In cooler regions, grow Sodom Apple as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.