Intellect tree Plant Care
Celastrus paniculatus Willd.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Celastrus paniculatus is a woody liana commonly known as black oil plant, climbing staff tree, and intellect tree. This climbing shrub grows throughout India at elevations up to 1,800 m (5,900 ft).
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Intellect tree?
Water Intellect tree every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
What Is the Intellect tree?
Intellect tree (Celastrus paniculatus) belongs to the Celastraceae family within the Celastrus genus. Intellect tree is also known as Jyotishmati, Climbing staff tree, Black oil bean.
Intellect tree displays a climbing vine growth habit, reaching up to 20 ft tall with a spread of approximately 10 ft. Intellect tree produces small greenish-white clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Intellect tree?
Celastrus paniculatus requires watering every 7–14 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Intellect tree Need?
Intellect tree thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Intellect tree Prefer?
Celastrus paniculatus grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Intellect tree prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Intellect tree?
Well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Intellect tree to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Intellect tree?
Feed Intellect tree every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Intellect tree?
Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Intellect tree?
Intellect tree can be propagated through seeds, semi-hardwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to american bittersweet plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Intellect tree Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
Toxic to humans if ingested, may cause skin irritation
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 Intellect tree?
Intellect tree is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, caterpillars. 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 Intellect tree Need?
Intellect tree grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Intellect tree as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Intellect tree 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 Celastrus genus — compare its care with other Celastrus species on PlantoScan.
Celastrus is part of the Celastraceae plant family — browse all Celastraceae genera and species.
Intellect tree thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Celastrus paniculatus Willd., family Celastraceae (first published in Sp. Pl., ed. 4 , 1: 1125 (1798)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Intellect tree is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, 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.
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