Hortonia floribunda Plant Care
Hortonia floribunda Wight ex Arn.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Hortonia floribunda is a species of plant in the Monimiaceae family. It is endemic to Sri Lanka.
Every 7–10 days
Bright indirect light
60–75°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Hortonia floribunda?
Plant Hortonia floribunda in bright indirect light (USDA zones 13a) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–75°F (16–24°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Hortonia floribunda Native To?
What Is the Hortonia floribunda?
Hortonia floribunda (Hortonia floribunda) belongs to the Monimiaceae family within the Hortonia genus. Hortonia floribunda is native to Sri Lanka.
Hortonia floribunda displays a compact, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Hortonia floribunda produces small, fragrant white flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Hortonia floribunda?
Water a young or newly planted Hortonia floribunda every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs 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 Hortonia floribunda Need?
Hortonia floribunda thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Hortonia floribunda in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Hortonia floribunda Prefer?
Hortonia floribunda tolerates temperatures of 60–75°F. Hortonia floribunda prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–75°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Hortonia floribunda?
Well-draining acidic soil mix with added organic matter like peat moss and pine bark. Good drainage is essential for Hortonia floribunda to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Hortonia floribunda?
Feed Hortonia floribunda every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs 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 Hortonia floribunda?
Choose a spot with bright indirect light and well-draining acidic soil mix with added organic matter like peat moss and pine bark. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Hortonia floribunda is suited to USDA Zone 13a.
Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.
How Far Apart Should You Plant a Hortonia floribunda?
Hortonia floribunda can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 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 plant spacing calculator.
How Do You Prune a Hortonia floribunda?
Prune Hortonia floribunda 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 shrub in one year.
How Do You Care for a Hortonia floribunda in Winter?
Hortonia floribunda 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 Hortonia floribunda?
Hortonia floribunda can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to hortonia angustifolia plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Hortonia floribunda Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Hortonia floribunda, 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 Hortonia floribunda?
Hortonia floribunda 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 Hortonia floribunda Need?
Hortonia floribunda grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Hortonia floribunda is native to Sri Lanka. In cooler regions, grow Hortonia floribunda as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Hortonia floribunda 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 Hortonia genus — compare its care with other Hortonia species on PlantoScan.
Hortonia is part of the Monimiaceae plant family — browse all Monimiaceae genera and species.
Hortonia floribunda 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: Hortonia floribunda Wight ex Arn., family Monimiaceae (first published in Mag. Zool. Bot. 2: 546 (1838)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Hortonia floribunda, 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.
