Escallonia Plant Care

Escallonia (Escallonia bifida) belongs to the Escalloniaceae family within the Escallonia genus. Escallonia is native to Brazil and Uruguay.

Escallonia displays an upright, dense shrub growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Escallonia produces small, fragrant white or pink flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Escallonia 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.

Escallonia thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Escallonia bifida tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Escallonia prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining, fertile soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Escallonia to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Escallonia 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, fertile soil with added compost for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Escallonia 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.

Escallonia 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 Escallonia 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.

Escallonia 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.

Escallonia can be propagated through softwood cuttings, semi-hardwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to panicle escallonia plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Escallonia is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, 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.

Escallonia grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Escallonia is native to Brazil and Uruguay. In cooler regions, grow Escallonia as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.