Fiddlewood Plant Care

Fiddlewood (Citharexylum affine) belongs to the Verbenaceae family within the Citharexylum genus. Fiddlewood is native to Central America, South America.

Fiddlewood displays an upright, spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Fiddlewood produces small clusters of fragrant white or pink flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Fiddlewood 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.

Fiddlewood thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Citharexylum affine tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Fiddlewood prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Fiddlewood to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Fiddlewood 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 loamy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Fiddlewood is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

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.

Fiddlewood 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 Fiddlewood 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.

Fiddlewood is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

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

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

Fiddlewood 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.

Fiddlewood grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Fiddlewood is native to Central America, South America. In cooler regions, grow Fiddlewood as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.