Franklinia Plant Care

Franklinia (Franklinia alatamaha) belongs to the Theaceae family within the Franklinia genus. Franklinia is native to the Altamaha River valley in Georgia in the southeastern United States. Franklinia is also known as Alatamaha Franklinia, Franklin Tree.

Franklinia displays a small, multi-stemmed tree growth habit, reaching up to 12 ft tall with a spread of approximately 8 ft. Franklinia produces fragrant white flowers with yellow stamens.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Franklinia 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.

Franklinia thrives in partial shade to full sun.

Franklinia alatamaha tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Franklinia prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining acidic soil with high organic content, such as a mix of peat moss, pine bark, and perlite. Good drainage is essential for Franklinia to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Franklinia 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 partial shade to full sun and well-draining acidic soil with high organic content, such as a mix of peat moss, pine bark, and perlite. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Franklinia 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.

Franklinia can spread to about 8 ft (2.4 m) and reach about 12 ft (4 m) tall. Space plants about 8 ft (2.4 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 Franklinia 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.

Franklinia 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.

Franklinia can be propagated through seeds, semi-hardwood cuttings.

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

Franklinia 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.

Franklinia grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Franklinia is native to the Altamaha River valley in Georgia in the southeastern United States. In cooler regions, grow Franklinia as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.