Tapos Plant Care
Elateriospermum tapos Blume
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Elateriospermum is a monotypic plant genus in the family Euphorbiaceae. The genus is the only member of tribe Elateriospermeae and contains a single species, Elateriospermum tapos.
Bright indirect light
At a glance
How do you care for Tapos?
Tapos grows best in bright indirect light. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
What Is the Tapos?
Tapos (Elateriospermum tapos) belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family within the Elateriospermum genus. Tapos is native to Southern Thailand, Peninsular Malaysia, Borneo, Java, and Sumatra. Tapos is also known as Castor oil tree, Tallow tree.
Tapos displays a vining, climbing shrub growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Tapos produces small greenish-yellow flowers in clusters.
What Light Does the Tapos Need?
Tapos thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Tapos in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect light
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Tapos?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Tapos to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Tapos?
Repot every 1-2 years in 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 Tapos?
Tapos can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings.
Is the Tapos Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
Mildly toxic to humans and pets if ingested
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 Tapos?
Tapos is susceptible to spider mites, mealybugs, scale insects. 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.
Keep exploring plants
Tapos 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 Elateriospermum genus — compare its care with other Elateriospermum species on PlantoScan.
Elateriospermum is part of the Euphorbiaceae plant family — browse all Euphorbiaceae genera and species.
Tapos 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: Elateriospermum tapos Blume, family Euphorbiaceae (first published in Bijdr. Fl. Ned. Ind. : 621 (1826)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Tapos 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.
- 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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