Heartleaf Stinging Tree Plant Care
Dendrocnide cordata (Warb. ex H.J.P.Winkl.) Chew
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Dendrocnide cordata, the stinger, is a species of flowering plant in the nettle family Urticaceae, native to the Bismarck Archipelago, the Lesser Sunda Islands, New Guinea, and Queensland. It is a rainforest tree reaching 10 m (33 ft), with irritating hairs on its large leaves.
Every 7–10 days
Partial shade to full sun
60–80°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Heartleaf Stinging Tree?
Water Heartleaf Stinging Tree every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it partial shade to full sun. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Heartleaf Stinging Tree Native To?
What Is the Heartleaf Stinging Tree?
Heartleaf Stinging Tree (Dendrocnide cordata) belongs to the Urticaceae family within the Dendrocnide genus. Heartleaf Stinging Tree is native to the Bismarck Archipelago, the Lesser Sunda Islands, New Guinea, and Queensland.
Heartleaf Stinging Tree displays a spreading perennial herb growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Heartleaf Stinging Tree produces small inconspicuous flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Heartleaf Stinging Tree?
Dendrocnide cordata requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Heartleaf Stinging Tree Need?
Heartleaf Stinging Tree thrives in partial shade to full sun.
Light Requirement
Partial shade to full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Heartleaf Stinging Tree Prefer?
Dendrocnide cordata grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Heartleaf Stinging Tree 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 Heartleaf Stinging Tree?
Well-draining sandy loam with high organic matter content. Good drainage is essential for Heartleaf Stinging Tree to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Heartleaf Stinging Tree?
Feed Heartleaf Stinging Tree every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Heartleaf Stinging Tree?
Repot every 1-2 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Heartleaf Stinging Tree?
Heartleaf Stinging Tree can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings.
Is the Heartleaf Stinging Tree Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
Highly toxic to humans and pets, causes severe skin irritation
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 Heartleaf Stinging Tree?
Heartleaf Stinging Tree 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Heartleaf Stinging Tree Need?
Heartleaf Stinging Tree grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Heartleaf Stinging Tree is native to the Bismarck Archipelago, the Lesser Sunda Islands, New Guinea, and Queensland. In cooler regions, grow Heartleaf Stinging Tree as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Heartleaf Stinging Tree 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 Dendrocnide genus — compare its care with other Dendrocnide species on PlantoScan.
Dendrocnide is part of the Urticaceae plant family — browse all Urticaceae genera and species.
Heartleaf Stinging Tree thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Dendrocnide cordata (Warb. ex H.J.P.Winkl.) Chew, family Urticaceae (first published in Gard. Bull. Singapore 21: 202 (1965)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Heartleaf Stinging Tree is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. 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.
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