African Blackwood Plant Care

African Blackwood (Dalbergia melanoxylon) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Dalbergia genus. African Blackwood is native to seasonally dry regions of Africa from Senegal east to Eritrea, to southern regions of Tanzania to Mozambique and south to the north-eastern parts of South Africa. African Blackwood is also known as Grenadillo, Mpingo, Mozambique Ebony.

African Blackwood displays a tall tree, spreading canopy growth habit, reaching up to 30 ft tall with a spread of approximately 20 ft. African Blackwood produces small, fragrant white flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted African Blackwood 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.

African Blackwood thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Dalbergia melanoxylon tolerates temperatures of 65–85°F. African Blackwood prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Well-draining loamy soil mix with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for African Blackwood to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed African Blackwood 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 loamy soil mix with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

African Blackwood is suited to USDA Zone 10a – 12b.

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.

African Blackwood 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.

Prune African Blackwood 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.

African Blackwood 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.

African Blackwood can be propagated through seeds, cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to thorny rosewood plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

African Blackwood is susceptible to aphids, 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.

African Blackwood grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10a – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10a. African Blackwood is native to seasonally dry regions of Africa from Senegal east to Eritrea, to southern regions of Tanzania to Mozambique and south to the north-eastern parts of South Africa. In cooler regions, grow African Blackwood as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.