Dodonaea False Mastic Plant Care

Dodonaea False Mastic (Comocladia dodonaea) belongs to the Anacardiaceae family within the Comocladia genus. Dodonaea False Mastic is native to Caribbean islands. Dodonaea False Mastic is also known as West Indian Poison Ivy.

Dodonaea False Mastic displays a small tree or shrub growth habit, reaching up to 10 ft tall with a spread of approximately 8 ft. Dodonaea False Mastic produces small clusters of white or greenish flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Dodonaea False Mastic 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.

Dodonaea False Mastic thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Comocladia dodonaea tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Dodonaea False Mastic prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Dodonaea False Mastic to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Dodonaea False Mastic 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 loam with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Dodonaea False Mastic 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.

Dodonaea False Mastic can spread to about 8 ft (2.4 m) and reach about 10 ft (3 m) tall. Space plants about 8 ft (2.4 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 Dodonaea False Mastic 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.

Dodonaea False Mastic 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.

Dodonaea False Mastic can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to guao plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Dodonaea False Mastic is susceptible to spider mites, 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.

Dodonaea False Mastic grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Dodonaea False Mastic is native to Caribbean islands. In cooler regions, grow Dodonaea False Mastic as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.