Himalayan mulberry Plant Care

Himalayan mulberry (Debregeasia orientalis) belongs to the Urticaceae family within the Debregeasia genus. Himalayan mulberry is native to Himalayas, China, Taiwan. Himalayan mulberry is also known as dwarf white mulberry.

Himalayan mulberry displays a shrubby, upright habit growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Himalayan mulberry produces inconspicuous flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 8 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Himalayan mulberry every 7–10 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.

Himalayan mulberry thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Himalayan mulberry in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Debregeasia orientalis tolerates temperatures of 65–80°F. Himalayan mulberry prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Good drainage is essential for Himalayan mulberry to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Himalayan mulberry 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 bright indirect light and well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Himalayan mulberry is suited to USDA Zone 8a – 10b.

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.

Himalayan mulberry can spread to about 4 ft (1.2 m) and reach about 6 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 4 ft (1.2 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 Himalayan mulberry 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.

Himalayan mulberry is hardy down to USDA zone 8a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown trees need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Himalayan mulberry can be propagated through stem cuttings, division of root suckers. Similar propagation techniques also apply to australian water-elder plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Himalayan mulberry is susceptible to aphids, 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.

Himalayan mulberry grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8a – 10b. It survives winters down to planting zone 8a. Himalayan mulberry is native to Himalayas, China, Taiwan.