Horsewood Plant Care

Horsewood (Clausena anisata) belongs to the Rutaceae family within the Clausena genus. Horsewood is native to tropical and South-East Asia, India and Sri Lanka. Horsewood is also known as Wild Curry, False Dittany, Moth Orchid.

Horsewood displays a compact, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 4 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Horsewood produces small white fragrant flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Horsewood every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Horsewood thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Clausena anisata tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Horsewood prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Horsewood to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Horsewood every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs 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 compost for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Horsewood is suited to USDA Zone 10a – 12b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Horsewood can spread to about 3 ft (0.9 m) and reach about 4 ft (1 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 plant spacing calculator.

Prune Horsewood 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 shrub in one year.

Horsewood is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 10). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Horsewood can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to clausena plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Horsewood is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, citrus leaf miner. 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.

Horsewood grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10a – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10a. Horsewood is native to tropical and South-East Asia, India and Sri Lanka. In cooler regions, grow Horsewood as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.