White fruited sassafras Plant Care

Cryptocarya albifrons Kosterm.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Cryptocarya albifrons is a striking evergreen tree known for its glossy green leaves that have a white underside, giving it a unique two-toned appearance. Native to Australia, this tree is popular among plant enthusiasts for its attractive foliage and ability to thrive in various growing conditions.

🌳Trees🌿Shrubs
Water

Every 7–14 days

Light

Partial to full shade

Temp

50–80°F

Humidity

60–80%

At a glance

How do you care for White fruited sassafras?

Plant White fruited sassafras in partial to full shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young tree every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C). Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season.

What Is the White fruited sassafras?

White fruited sassafras (Cryptocarya albifrons) belongs to the Lauraceae family within the Cryptocarya genus. White fruited sassafras is native to Australia. White fruited sassafras is also known as white sassafras.

White fruited sassafras displays a tall, evergreen tree growth habit, reaching up to 30 ft tall with a spread of approximately 15 ft. White fruited sassafras produces small, inconspicuous flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

How Often Should You Water a White fruited sassafras?

Water a young or newly planted White fruited sassafras 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.

Watering Frequency

Every 7–14 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the White fruited sassafras Need?

White fruited sassafras thrives in partial to full shade. The optimal light range is 100–500 lux. Avoid placing White fruited sassafras in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Light Requirement

Partial to full shade

100–500 lux

What Temperature and Humidity Does the White fruited sassafras Prefer?

Cryptocarya albifrons tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. White fruited sassafras prefers humidity levels of 60–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Temperature

50–80°F

Humidity

60–80%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a White fruited sassafras?

Well-draining, rich loamy soil with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for White fruited sassafras to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a White fruited sassafras?

Feed White fruited sassafras every 8 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.

Fertilizing

Every 8 months

During the growing season

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Where Should You Plant a White fruited sassafras?

Choose a spot with partial to full shade and well-draining, rich loamy soil with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

White fruited sassafras is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

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.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a White fruited sassafras?

White fruited sassafras can spread to about 15 ft (4.6 m) and reach about 30 ft (9 m) tall. Space plants about 15 ft (4.6 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.

How Do You Prune a White fruited sassafras?

Prune White fruited sassafras 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.

How Do You Care for a White fruited sassafras in Winter?

White fruited sassafras is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

How Do You Propagate a White fruited sassafras?

White fruited sassafras can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to peumo plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the White fruited sassafras Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list White fruited sassafras, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.

This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.

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

What Pests and Diseases Affect the White fruited sassafras?

White fruited sassafras is susceptible to 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.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the White fruited sassafras Need?

White fruited sassafras grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. White fruited sassafras is native to Australia. In cooler regions, grow White fruited sassafras as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

White fruited sassafras is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.

It belongs to the Cryptocarya genus — compare its care with other Cryptocarya species on PlantoScan.

Cryptocarya is part of the Lauraceae plant family — browse all Lauraceae genera and species.

White fruited sassafras copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.

More Cryptocarya Species

Other Cryptocarya species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Cryptocarya albifrons Kosterm., family Lauraceae (first published in Reinwardtia 10: 455 (1988)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list White fruited sassafras, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
  • Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.

Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.

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