Diviner's guarri (Euclea divinorum)

Photo: Shaun SwanepoelCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped

Diviner's guarri Plant Care

Euclea divinorum Hiern

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

This plant's shiny, dark green leaves are among its most distinctive features. Originating from South Africa, Euclea divinorum is highly sought after by plant collectors for its beautiful foliage and ability to thrive in a variety of conditions.

Water

Every 7–14 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

60–85°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Diviner's guarri?

Plant Diviner's guarri in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 9b–11b) and water a young tree every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F (16–29°C). Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Diviner's guarri Native To?

Native range21 countries

What Is the Diviner's guarri?

Diviner's guarri (Euclea divinorum) belongs to the Ebenaceae family within the Euclea genus. Diviner's guarri is native to eastern and southern Africa. Diviner's guarri is also known as Magic guarri.

Diviner's guarri displays a slow-growing small tree growth habit, reaching up to 10 ft tall with a spread of approximately 6 ft. Diviner's guarri produces small white flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Diviner's guarri?

Water a young or newly planted Diviner's guarri 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.

Watering Frequency

Every 7–14 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Diviner's guarri Need?

Diviner's guarri thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Diviner's guarri Prefer?

Euclea divinorum tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Diviner's guarri prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

60–85°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Diviner's guarri?

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Diviner's guarri to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Diviner's guarri?

Feed Diviner's guarri every 8 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 8 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 Diviner's guarri?

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Diviner's guarri is suited to USDA Zone 9b – 11b.

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 Diviner's guarri?

Diviner's guarri can spread to about 6 ft (1.8 m) and reach about 10 ft (3 m) tall. Space plants about 6 ft (1.8 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 Diviner's guarri?

Prune Diviner's guarri 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 Diviner's guarri in Winter?

Diviner's guarri 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 Diviner's guarri?

Diviner's guarri can be propagated through seeds, hardwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to sea guarri plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Diviner's guarri Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Diviner's guarri, 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 Diviner's guarri?

Diviner's guarri 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.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Diviner's guarri Need?

Diviner's guarri grows outdoors in USDA Zone 9b – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 9b. Diviner's guarri is native to eastern and southern Africa. In cooler regions, grow Diviner's guarri as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 9b – 11b

Keep exploring plants

Diviner's guarri 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 Euclea genus — compare its care with other Euclea species on PlantoScan.

Euclea is part of the Ebenaceae plant family — browse all Ebenaceae genera and species.

Diviner's guarri 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: Euclea divinorum Hiern, family Ebenaceae (first published in Trans. Cambridge Philos. Soc. 12: 99 (1873)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Diviner's guarri, 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: Shaun Swanepoel, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 9b – 11b, 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.

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