Small Leaved Blister Bush Plant Care
Excoecaria parvifolia Müll.Arg.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Excoecaria parvifolia is a plant in the Euphorbiaceae family, native to Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and Queensland It is also known as the guttapercha tree, although it is botanically unrelated to the Southeast Asian gutta-percha.
Every 7–14 days
Bright indirect light
65–80°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Small Leaved Blister Bush?
Plant Small Leaved Blister Bush in bright indirect light (USDA zones 13b) and water a young shrub every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 65–80°F (18–27°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Small Leaved Blister Bush Native To?
What Is the Small Leaved Blister Bush?
Small Leaved Blister Bush (Excoecaria parvifolia) belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family within the Excoecaria genus. Small Leaved Blister Bush is native to Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and Queensland.
Small Leaved Blister Bush displays an upright, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Small Leaved Blister Bush produces inconspicuous flowers, prized for colorful foliage.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Small Leaved Blister Bush?
Water a young or newly planted Small Leaved Blister Bush every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs 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 Small Leaved Blister Bush Need?
Small Leaved Blister Bush thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Small Leaved Blister Bush in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Small Leaved Blister Bush Prefer?
Excoecaria parvifolia tolerates temperatures of 65–80°F. Small Leaved Blister Bush prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
65–80°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Small Leaved Blister Bush?
Well-draining soil mix with added perlite for improved drainage. Good drainage is essential for Small Leaved Blister Bush to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Small Leaved Blister Bush?
Feed Small Leaved Blister Bush every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs 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 Small Leaved Blister Bush?
Choose a spot with bright indirect light and well-draining soil mix with added perlite for improved drainage. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Small Leaved Blister Bush is suited to USDA Zone 13b.
Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.
How Far Apart Should You Plant a Small Leaved Blister Bush?
Small Leaved Blister Bush can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 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 plant spacing calculator.
How Do You Prune a Small Leaved Blister Bush?
Prune Small Leaved Blister Bush 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 shrub in one year.
How Do You Care for a Small Leaved Blister Bush in Winter?
Small Leaved Blister Bush 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.
How Do You Propagate a Small Leaved Blister Bush?
Small Leaved Blister Bush can be propagated through stem cuttings, air layering. Similar propagation techniques also apply to excoecaria benthamiana plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Small Leaved Blister Bush Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
Toxic to humans and pets, skin and eye irritant
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 Small Leaved Blister Bush?
Small Leaved Blister Bush 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Small Leaved Blister Bush Need?
Small Leaved Blister Bush grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Small Leaved Blister Bush is native to Western Australia, the Northern Territory, and Queensland. In cooler regions, grow Small Leaved Blister Bush as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
Small Leaved Blister Bush 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 Excoecaria genus — compare its care with other Excoecaria species on PlantoScan.
Excoecaria is part of the Euphorbiaceae plant family — browse all Euphorbiaceae genera and species.
Small Leaved Blister Bush thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Excoecaria Species
Other Excoecaria species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Excoecaria parvifolia Müll.Arg., family Euphorbiaceae (first published in Flora 47: 433 (1864)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Small Leaved Blister Bush 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.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13b, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- 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.
