Snowbell Plant Care

Snowbell (Chiococca alba) belongs to the Rubiaceae family within the Chiococca genus. Snowbell is native to Florida and the extreme southern tip of Texas in the United States, Bermuda, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, the Galápagos, and tropical South America. Snowbell is also known as David's Bush, Milkberry, Christmas Bush.

Snowbell displays an upright, spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Snowbell produces small white fragrant flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Snowbell 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.

Snowbell thrives in partial shade to full sun.

Chiococca alba tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Snowbell prefers humidity levels of 50–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

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

Feed Snowbell 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, well-draining soil with high organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Snowbell is suited to USDA Zone 9b – 11b.

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.

Snowbell can spread to about 4 ft (1.2 m) and reach about 5 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 Snowbell 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.

Snowbell 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.

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

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

Snowbell 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.

Snowbell grows outdoors in USDA Zone 9b – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 9b. Snowbell is native to Florida and the extreme southern tip of Texas in the United States, Bermuda, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, the Galápagos, and tropical South America. In cooler regions, grow Snowbell as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.