Kidneywood Plant Care

Kidneywood (Eysenhardtia polystachya) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Eysenhardtia genus. Kidneywood is also known as Texas Kidneywood, Palo Azul, False Ebon.

Kidneywood displays a small deciduous tree growth habit, reaching up to 15 ft tall with a spread of approximately 10 ft. Kidneywood produces small clusters of fragrant white flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Kidneywood 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.

Kidneywood thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Eysenhardtia polystachya tolerates temperatures of 50–90°F. Kidneywood prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

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

Feed Kidneywood 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. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Kidneywood 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.

Kidneywood can spread to about 10 ft (3 m) and reach about 15 ft (5 m) tall. Space plants about 10 ft (3 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 Kidneywood 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.

Kidneywood 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.

Kidneywood can be propagated through seeds, softwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to texas kidneywood plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Kidneywood is susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, leafhoppers. 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.

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