
Image: AI generated
Golden Dewdrop Plant Care
Duranta erecta L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Duranta erecta is a species of flowering shrub in the verbena family Verbenaceae, native from Mexico to South America and the Caribbean. It is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant in tropical and subtropical gardens throughout the world, and has become naturalized in many places.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–85°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Golden Dewdrop?
Plant Golden Dewdrop in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 9b–12b) and water a young tree every 7–10 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 Golden Dewdrop?
Golden Dewdrop (Duranta erecta) belongs to the Verbenaceae family within the Duranta genus. Golden Dewdrop is also known as Pigeon Berry, Sky Flower, Duranta.
Golden Dewdrop displays an upright, spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Golden Dewdrop produces clusters of small, tubular purple or blue flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Golden Dewdrop?
Water a young or newly planted Golden Dewdrop 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.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Golden Dewdrop Need?
Golden Dewdrop thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Golden Dewdrop Prefer?
Duranta erecta tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Golden Dewdrop prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–85°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Golden Dewdrop?
Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Golden Dewdrop to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Golden Dewdrop?
Feed Golden Dewdrop 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 Golden Dewdrop?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Golden Dewdrop is suited to USDA Zone 9b – 12b.
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 Golden Dewdrop?
Golden Dewdrop 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.
How Do You Prune a Golden Dewdrop?
Prune Golden Dewdrop 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 Golden Dewdrop in Winter?
Golden Dewdrop is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 9). 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 Golden Dewdrop?
Golden Dewdrop can be propagated through softwood cuttings, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to duranta mutisii plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Golden Dewdrop Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Golden Dewdrop, 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 Golden Dewdrop?
Golden Dewdrop is susceptible to aphids, whiteflies, 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 Golden Dewdrop Need?
Golden Dewdrop grows outdoors in USDA Zone 9b – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 9b. In cooler regions, grow Golden Dewdrop as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 9b – 12b
Keep exploring plants
Golden Dewdrop 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 Duranta genus — compare its care with other Duranta species on PlantoScan.
Duranta is part of the Verbenaceae plant family — browse all Verbenaceae genera and species.
Golden Dewdrop 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: Duranta erecta L., family Verbenaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 637 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Golden Dewdrop, 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.
- Photo: AI-generated illustration (labelled on the image).
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 9b – 12b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- 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.
