Juan Fernandez Winter's Bark Plant Care

Juan Fernandez Winter's Bark (Drimys confertifolia) belongs to the Winteraceae family within the Drimys genus. Juan Fernandez Winter's Bark is native to Juan Fernández Islands off the western coast of South America. Juan Fernandez Winter's Bark is also known as Juan Fernandez Pepper.

Juan Fernandez Winter's Bark displays an upright, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Juan Fernandez Winter's Bark produces small white flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Juan Fernandez Winter's Bark 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.

Juan Fernandez Winter's Bark thrives in partial shade to full sun.

Drimys confertifolia tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Juan Fernandez Winter's Bark prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Rich, well-draining soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Juan Fernandez Winter's Bark to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Juan Fernandez Winter's Bark 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 partial shade to full sun and rich, well-draining soil with high organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Juan Fernandez Winter's Bark 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.

Juan Fernandez Winter's Bark 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 Juan Fernandez Winter's Bark 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.

Juan Fernandez Winter's Bark 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.

Juan Fernandez Winter's Bark can be propagated through softwood cuttings, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to winter's bark plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Juan Fernandez Winter's Bark is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, mealybugs. 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.

Juan Fernandez Winter's Bark grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Juan Fernandez Winter's Bark is native to Juan Fernández Islands off the western coast of South America. In cooler regions, grow Juan Fernandez Winter's Bark as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.