Dodonaea humilis Plant Care

Dodonaea humilis (Dodonaea humilis) belongs to the Sapindaceae family within the Dodonaea genus. Dodonaea humilis is native to southern South Australia.

Dodonaea humilis displays an upright, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Dodonaea humilis produces inconspicuous small greenish flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Dodonaea humilis 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.

Dodonaea humilis thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Dodonaea humilis tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. Dodonaea humilis prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Dodonaea humilis to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Dodonaea humilis 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 sandy loam with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Dodonaea humilis is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

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.

Dodonaea humilis 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 Dodonaea humilis 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.

Dodonaea humilis is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Dodonaea humilis can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to adenophora hop bush plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Dodonaea humilis 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.

Dodonaea humilis grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Dodonaea humilis is native to southern South Australia. In cooler regions, grow Dodonaea humilis as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.