Guioa acutifolia Plant Care
Guioa acutifolia Radlk.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Guioa acutifolia is an evergreen tree from New Guinea and coastal areas of eastern Queensland in Australia. Common names include glossy tamarind, northern guioa and sharp-leaf guioa.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–85°F
50–80%
At a glance
How do you care for Guioa acutifolia?
Plant Guioa acutifolia 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.
What Is the Guioa acutifolia?
Guioa acutifolia (Guioa acutifolia) belongs to the Sapindaceae family within the Guioa genus.
Guioa acutifolia displays a small to medium-sized tree growth habit, reaching up to 25 ft tall with a spread of approximately 15 ft. Guioa acutifolia produces small clusters of white or cream-colored flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Guioa acutifolia?
Water a young or newly planted Guioa acutifolia 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 Guioa acutifolia Need?
Guioa acutifolia thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Guioa acutifolia Prefer?
Guioa acutifolia tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Guioa acutifolia prefers humidity levels of 50–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–85°F
Humidity
50–80%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Guioa acutifolia?
Well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Guioa acutifolia to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Guioa acutifolia?
Feed Guioa acutifolia 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 Guioa acutifolia?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Guioa acutifolia 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 Guioa acutifolia?
Guioa acutifolia can spread to about 15 ft (4.6 m) and reach about 25 ft (8 m) tall. Space plants about 15 ft (4.6 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 tree spacing calculator.
How Do You Prune a Guioa acutifolia?
Prune Guioa acutifolia 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 Guioa acutifolia in Winter?
Guioa acutifolia 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 Guioa acutifolia?
Guioa acutifolia can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to guioa lasioneura plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Guioa acutifolia Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Guioa acutifolia, 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 Guioa acutifolia?
Guioa acutifolia is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, caterpillars. 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 Guioa acutifolia Need?
Guioa acutifolia grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Guioa acutifolia as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Guioa acutifolia 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 Guioa genus — compare its care with other Guioa species on PlantoScan.
Guioa is part of the Sapindaceae plant family — browse all Sapindaceae genera and species.
Guioa acutifolia thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Guioa Species
Other Guioa species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Guioa acutifolia Radlk., family Sapindaceae (first published in Sitzungsber. Math.-Phys. Cl. Königl. Bayer. Akad. Wiss. München 9: 608 (1879)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Guioa acutifolia, 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.
- 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.
