Swamp Cyrilla Plant Care

Swamp Cyrilla (Cyrilla racemiflora) belongs to the Cyrillaceae family within the Cyrilla genus. Swamp Cyrilla is native to warm temperate to tropical regions of the Americas, from the southeastern United States, south through the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America to northern Brazil and Venezuela in South America. Swamp Cyrilla is also known as Cyrilla.

Swamp Cyrilla displays a small tree or shrub growth habit, reaching up to 15 ft tall with a spread of approximately 10 ft. Swamp Cyrilla produces small, white or pink flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Swamp Cyrilla 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.

Swamp Cyrilla thrives in partial shade to full sun.

Cyrilla racemiflora tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. Swamp Cyrilla prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Rich, acidic soil with good drainage. Good drainage is essential for Swamp Cyrilla to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Swamp Cyrilla 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 partial shade to full sun and rich, acidic soil with good drainage. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Swamp Cyrilla 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.

Swamp Cyrilla can spread to about 10 ft (3 m) and reach about 15 ft (5 m) tall. Space plants about 10 ft (3 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 Swamp Cyrilla 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.

Swamp Cyrilla 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.

Swamp Cyrilla can be propagated through seeds, softwood cuttings.

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

Swamp Cyrilla is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, spider mites. 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.

Swamp Cyrilla grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Swamp Cyrilla is native to warm temperate to tropical regions of the Americas, from the southeastern United States, south through the Caribbean, Mexico and Central America to northern Brazil and Venezuela in South America. In cooler regions, grow Swamp Cyrilla as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.