Red-wood Plant Care

Red-wood (Erythroxylum monogynum) belongs to the Erythroxylaceae family within the Erythroxylum genus. Red-wood is native to Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. Red-wood is also known as Himalayan Coca.

Red-wood displays a small tree, shrub growth habit, reaching up to 10 ft tall with a spread of approximately 8 ft. Red-wood produces small white or yellow flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 5 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Red-wood 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.

Red-wood thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Erythroxylum monogynum tolerates temperatures of 65–85°F. Red-wood prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

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

Feed Red-wood 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 for moisture retention. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Red-wood is suited to USDA Zone 13b.

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.

Red-wood can spread to about 8 ft (2.4 m) and reach about 10 ft (3 m) tall. Space plants about 8 ft (2.4 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 Red-wood 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.

Red-wood 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.

Red-wood can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to thin-leaved coca plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Red-wood is susceptible to spider mites, 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.

Red-wood grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Red-wood is native to Peninsular India and Sri Lanka. In cooler regions, grow Red-wood as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.