Bailey's Tuckeroo Plant Care

Cupaniopsis baileyana Radlk.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Cupaniopsis baileyana, commonly known as narrow-leaved tuckeroo, toothed tuckeroo or white tamarind, is a species of flowering tree in the soapberry family and is endemic to eastern Australia. It is a tree with paripinnate leaves with 8 to 20 narrowly oblong to lance-shaped leaflets, and separate, male and female flowers arranged in panicles, the fruit a more or less spherical red to brown capsule.

🌳Trees🌿Shrubs
Water

Every 7–14 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

60–85°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Bailey's Tuckeroo?

Plant Bailey's Tuckeroo in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 13a) and water a young tree every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F (16–29°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Bailey's Tuckeroo Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Bailey's Tuckeroo?

Bailey's Tuckeroo (Cupaniopsis baileyana) belongs to the Sapindaceae family within the Cupaniopsis genus. Bailey's Tuckeroo is native to eastern Australia.

Bailey's Tuckeroo displays a small to medium-sized tree growth habit, reaching up to 30 ft tall with a spread of approximately 20 ft. Bailey's Tuckeroo produces small clusters of white or cream-colored flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Bailey's Tuckeroo?

Water a young or newly planted Bailey's Tuckeroo 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 Bailey's Tuckeroo Need?

Bailey's Tuckeroo thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Bailey's Tuckeroo Prefer?

Cupaniopsis baileyana tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Bailey's Tuckeroo prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

60–85°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Bailey's Tuckeroo?

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

How Often Should You Fertilize a Bailey's Tuckeroo?

Feed Bailey's Tuckeroo 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.

Fertilizing

Every 6 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 Bailey's Tuckeroo?

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.

Bailey's Tuckeroo 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.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Bailey's Tuckeroo?

Bailey's Tuckeroo can spread to about 20 ft (6.1 m) and reach about 30 ft (9 m) tall. Space plants about 20 ft (6.1 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 Bailey's Tuckeroo?

Prune Bailey's Tuckeroo 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 Bailey's Tuckeroo in Winter?

Bailey's Tuckeroo 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.

How Do You Propagate a Bailey's Tuckeroo?

Bailey's Tuckeroo can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to tuckeroo plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Bailey's Tuckeroo Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Bailey's Tuckeroo, 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 Bailey's Tuckeroo?

Bailey's Tuckeroo is susceptible to aphids, scale insects. 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 Bailey's Tuckeroo Need?

Bailey's Tuckeroo grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Bailey's Tuckeroo is native to eastern Australia. In cooler regions, grow Bailey's Tuckeroo as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 13a

Keep exploring plants

Bailey's Tuckeroo 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 Cupaniopsis genus — compare its care with other Cupaniopsis species on PlantoScan.

Cupaniopsis is part of the Sapindaceae plant family — browse all Sapindaceae genera and species.

Bailey's Tuckeroo thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Cupaniopsis Species

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

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Cupaniopsis baileyana Radlk., family Sapindaceae (first published in Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 20: 32 (1924)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Bailey's Tuckeroo, 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 13a, 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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