Indian Rosewood Plant Care

Indian Rosewood (Dalbergia sissoo) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Dalbergia genus. Indian Rosewood is native to the Indian subcontinent and southern Iran. Indian Rosewood is also known as Sissoo, Shisham, Amerimnon sissoo.

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

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Indian Rosewood 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.

Indian Rosewood thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Dalbergia sissoo tolerates temperatures of 65–85°F. Indian Rosewood 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 Indian Rosewood to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Indian Rosewood 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.

Indian Rosewood is suited to USDA Zone 9b – 11b.

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.

Indian Rosewood 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 Indian Rosewood 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.

Indian Rosewood is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 9). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

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

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Indian Rosewood 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.

Indian Rosewood grows outdoors in USDA Zone 9b – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 9b. Indian Rosewood is native to the Indian subcontinent and southern Iran. In cooler regions, grow Indian Rosewood as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.