Herrania balaensis Plant Care
Herrania balaensis P.Preuss
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Theobroma balaense is a species of flowering plant in the family Malvaceae. It native to Colombia and Ecuador.
Every 7–10 days
Partial shade to full sun
65–80°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Herrania balaensis?
Plant Herrania balaensis in partial shade to full sun (USDA zones 13b) and water a young tree every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 65–80°F (18–27°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Herrania balaensis?
Herrania balaensis (Herrania balaensis) belongs to the Malvaceae family within the Herrania genus. Herrania balaensis is native to Colombia and Ecuador.
Herrania balaensis displays a small to medium-sized tree growth habit, reaching up to 15 ft tall with a spread of approximately 10 ft. Herrania balaensis produces showy, colorful flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Herrania balaensis?
Water a young or newly planted Herrania balaensis 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.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Herrania balaensis Need?
Herrania balaensis thrives in partial shade to full sun.
Light Requirement
Partial shade to full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Herrania balaensis Prefer?
Herrania balaensis tolerates temperatures of 65–80°F. Herrania balaensis 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 Herrania balaensis?
Rich, well-draining soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Good drainage is essential for Herrania balaensis to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Herrania balaensis?
Feed Herrania balaensis 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 Herrania balaensis?
Choose a spot with partial shade to full sun and rich, well-draining soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Herrania balaensis is suited to USDA Zone 13b.
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 Herrania balaensis?
Herrania balaensis 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 Herrania balaensis?
Prune Herrania balaensis 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 Herrania balaensis in Winter?
Herrania balaensis 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 Herrania balaensis?
Herrania balaensis can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to herrania laciniifolia plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Herrania balaensis Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Herrania balaensis, 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 Herrania balaensis?
Herrania balaensis is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, scale insects. 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 Herrania balaensis Need?
Herrania balaensis grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Herrania balaensis is native to Colombia and Ecuador. In cooler regions, grow Herrania balaensis as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
Herrania balaensis 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 Herrania genus — compare its care with other Herrania species on PlantoScan.
Herrania is part of the Malvaceae plant family — browse all Malvaceae genera and species.
Herrania balaensis thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Herrania balaensis P.Preuss, family Malvaceae (first published in Exped. C.-Sudamer. 253. 1901) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Herrania balaensis, 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 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.
