Small-flowered Walnut Plant Care
Daphnandra micrantha (Tul.) Benth.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Daphnandra micrantha, known as socketwood or Manning River socketwood, is a rainforest tree in eastern Australia. It grows near streams in various types of rainforest, and is also seen in ecotone areas dominated by brush box and tallowwood.
Every 7–14 days
Partial to full shade
60–80°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Small-flowered Walnut?
Plant Small-flowered Walnut in partial to full shade (USDA zones 13a) and water a young tree every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C). Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season.
What Is the Small-flowered Walnut?
Small-flowered Walnut (Daphnandra micrantha) belongs to the Atherospermataceae family within the Daphnandra genus.
Small-flowered Walnut displays a tall, upright tree growth habit, reaching up to 30 ft tall with a spread of approximately 15 ft. Small-flowered Walnut produces small, inconspicuous flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Small-flowered Walnut?
Water a young or newly planted Small-flowered Walnut 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 Small-flowered Walnut Need?
Small-flowered Walnut thrives in partial to full shade. The optimal light range is 100–500 lux. Avoid placing Small-flowered Walnut 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 Small-flowered Walnut Prefer?
Daphnandra micrantha tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Small-flowered Walnut prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Small-flowered Walnut?
Rich, well-draining soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Small-flowered Walnut to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Small-flowered Walnut?
Feed Small-flowered Walnut 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 Small-flowered Walnut?
Choose a spot with partial to full shade and rich, well-draining soil with high organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Small-flowered Walnut 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 Small-flowered Walnut?
Small-flowered Walnut 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 Small-flowered Walnut?
Prune Small-flowered Walnut 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 Small-flowered Walnut in Winter?
Small-flowered Walnut 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 Small-flowered Walnut?
Small-flowered Walnut can be propagated through seeds, cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to daphnandra apatela plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Small-flowered Walnut Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Small-flowered Walnut, 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 Small-flowered Walnut?
Small-flowered Walnut 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 Small-flowered Walnut Need?
Small-flowered Walnut grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Small-flowered Walnut as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Small-flowered Walnut 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 Daphnandra genus — compare its care with other Daphnandra species on PlantoScan.
Daphnandra is part of the Atherospermataceae plant family — browse all Atherospermataceae genera and species.
Small-flowered Walnut copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Daphnandra micrantha (Tul.) Benth., family Atherospermataceae (first published in Fl. Austral. 5: 285 (1870)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Small-flowered Walnut, 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.
