New Guinea walnut Plant Care
Dracontomelon duperreanum Pierre
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Dracontomelon duperreanum or Indochina Dragonplum is a tree species Anacardiaceae, with no subspecies listed in the Catalogue of Life.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–85°F
50–80%
At a glance
How do you care for New Guinea walnut?
Plant New Guinea walnut in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 13a) and water a young tree every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F (16–29°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the New Guinea walnut?
New Guinea walnut (Dracontomelon duperreanum) belongs to the Anacardiaceae family within the Dracontomelon genus. New Guinea walnut is also known as Pacific walnut, Sakura tree.
New Guinea walnut displays a tall, spreading tree growth habit, reaching up to 60 ft tall with a spread of approximately 40 ft. New Guinea walnut produces small greenish-yellow flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a New Guinea walnut?
Water a young or newly planted New Guinea 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 New Guinea walnut Need?
New Guinea walnut thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the New Guinea walnut Prefer?
Dracontomelon duperreanum tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. New Guinea walnut prefers humidity levels of 50–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–85°F
Humidity
50–80%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a New Guinea walnut?
Well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for New Guinea walnut to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a New Guinea walnut?
Feed New Guinea walnut 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.
Fertilizing
Every 6 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 New Guinea walnut?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
New Guinea 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 New Guinea walnut?
New Guinea walnut can spread to about 40 ft (12.2 m) and reach about 60 ft (18 m) tall. Space plants about 40 ft (12.2 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.
How Do You Prune a New Guinea walnut?
Prune New Guinea 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 New Guinea walnut in Winter?
New Guinea 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 New Guinea walnut?
New Guinea walnut can be propagated through seeds, air layering. Similar propagation techniques also apply to dao plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the New Guinea walnut Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list New Guinea 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 New Guinea walnut?
New Guinea walnut 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the New Guinea walnut Need?
New Guinea walnut grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow New Guinea walnut as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
New Guinea 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 Dracontomelon genus — compare its care with other Dracontomelon species on PlantoScan.
Dracontomelon is part of the Anacardiaceae plant family — browse all Anacardiaceae genera and species.
New Guinea walnut 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: Dracontomelon duperreanum Pierre, family Anacardiaceae (first published in Fl. Forest. Cochinch. : t. 374 B (1898)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list New Guinea 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.
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