Charpentiera australis Plant Care

Charpentiera australis (Charpentiera australis) belongs to the Amaranthaceae family within the Charpentiera genus. Charpentiera australis is native to Rarotonga in the Cook Islands, and to Raivavae and Tubuai in the Tubuai Islands of French Polynesia.

Charpentiera australis displays a tall, upright shrub growth habit, reaching up to 5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Charpentiera australis produces small clusters of red or pink flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Charpentiera australis 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.

Charpentiera australis thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Charpentiera australis tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Charpentiera australis prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Charpentiera australis to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Charpentiera australis 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 with added organic matter for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Charpentiera australis is suited to USDA Zone 11a – 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.

Charpentiera australis can spread to about 3 ft (0.9 m) and reach about 5 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 3 ft (0.9 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 Charpentiera australis 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.

Charpentiera australis is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 11). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Charpentiera australis can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to charpentiera densiflora plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Charpentiera australis is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. 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.

Charpentiera australis grows outdoors in USDA Zone 11a – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 11a. Charpentiera australis is native to Rarotonga in the Cook Islands, and to Raivavae and Tubuai in the Tubuai Islands of French Polynesia. In cooler regions, grow Charpentiera australis as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.