Fontainea pancheri Plant Care
Fontainea pancheri Heckel
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Fontainea pancheri is a small tree or shrub endemic to New Caledonia in the family, Euphorbiaceae, which grows to a height of 15 m.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–85°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Fontainea pancheri?
Plant Fontainea pancheri in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 13a) 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 6 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Fontainea pancheri Native To?
What Is the Fontainea pancheri?
Fontainea pancheri (Fontainea pancheri) belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family within the Fontainea genus. Fontainea pancheri is native to New Caledonia in the family, Euphorbiaceae, which grows to a height of 15 m.
Fontainea pancheri displays a small tree, spreading canopy growth habit, reaching up to 15 ft tall with a spread of approximately 10 ft. Fontainea pancheri produces small greenish-yellow flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Fontainea pancheri?
Water a young or newly planted Fontainea pancheri 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 Fontainea pancheri Need?
Fontainea pancheri thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Fontainea pancheri Prefer?
Fontainea pancheri tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Fontainea pancheri prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–85°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Fontainea pancheri?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Fontainea pancheri to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Fontainea pancheri?
Feed Fontainea pancheri 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.
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 Fontainea pancheri?
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.
Fontainea pancheri is suited to USDA Zone 13a.
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 Fontainea pancheri?
Fontainea pancheri 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.
How Do You Prune a Fontainea pancheri?
Prune Fontainea pancheri 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 Fontainea pancheri in Winter?
Fontainea pancheri 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 Fontainea pancheri?
Fontainea pancheri can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to fontainea australis plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Fontainea pancheri Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
Mildly toxic to humans and pets
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 Fontainea pancheri?
Fontainea pancheri 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 Fontainea pancheri Need?
Fontainea pancheri grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Fontainea pancheri is native to New Caledonia in the family, Euphorbiaceae, which grows to a height of 15 m. In cooler regions, grow Fontainea pancheri as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Fontainea pancheri 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 Fontainea genus — compare its care with other Fontainea species on PlantoScan.
Fontainea is part of the Euphorbiaceae plant family — browse all Euphorbiaceae genera and species.
Fontainea pancheri thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Fontainea Species
Other Fontainea species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Fontainea pancheri Heckel, family Euphorbiaceae (first published in Étude Fontainea (Thèse Inaug. Montpellier) : 11 (1870)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Fontainea pancheri 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 13a, 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.
