Sweetshrub Plant Care

Sweetshrub (Calycanthus brockianus) belongs to the Calycanthaceae family within the Calycanthus genus. Sweetshrub is also known as Carolina Allspice.

Sweetshrub displays an upright, spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 8 ft tall with a spread of approximately 10 ft. Sweetshrub produces fragrant, spiky red or burgundy flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Sweetshrub every 4–7 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.

Sweetshrub thrives in partial shade to full sun.

Calycanthus brockianus tolerates temperatures of 20–90°F. Sweetshrub prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Rich, moist, well-draining soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Sweetshrub to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Sweetshrub 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 partial shade to full sun and rich, moist, well-draining soil with high organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Sweetshrub is suited to USDA Zone 9a.

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.

Sweetshrub can spread to about 10 ft (3 m) and reach about 8 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 10 ft (3 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 Sweetshrub 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.

Sweetshrub is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 9). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Sweetshrub can be propagated through softwood cuttings, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to carolina allspice plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Sweetshrub 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.

Sweetshrub grows outdoors in USDA Zone 9a. It survives winters down to planting zone 9a. In cooler regions, grow Sweetshrub as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.