Red Bloodwood Plant Care

Red Bloodwood (Horsfieldia irya) belongs to the Myristicaceae family within the Horsfieldia genus. Red Bloodwood is native to Burma, India, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam. Red Bloodwood is also known as Bloodwood.

Red Bloodwood displays a tall, upright tree growth habit, reaching up to 30 ft tall with a spread of approximately 15 ft. Red Bloodwood produces small, inconspicuous flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Red Bloodwood 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.

Red Bloodwood thrives in filtered sunlight. Avoid placing Red Bloodwood in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Horsfieldia irya tolerates temperatures of 65–80°F. Red Bloodwood prefers humidity levels of 60–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Rich, well-draining soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Red Bloodwood to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Red Bloodwood 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 filtered sunlight and rich, well-draining soil with high organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Red Bloodwood is suited to USDA Zone 11a – 12b.

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.

Red Bloodwood can spread to about 15 ft (4.6 m) and reach about 30 ft (9 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.

Prune Red Bloodwood 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.

Red Bloodwood is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 11). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Red Bloodwood can be propagated through seeds, air layering. Similar propagation techniques also apply to horsfieldia palauensis plant care, which shares the same genus.

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Red Bloodwood is susceptible to 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.

Red Bloodwood grows outdoors in USDA Zone 11a – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 11a. Red Bloodwood is native to Burma, India, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam. In cooler regions, grow Red Bloodwood as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.