Photo: Jiao Sun (孙娇)CC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Chinese Flame Tree Plant Care
Koelreuteria bipinnata Franch.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
With its delicate, bipinnate leaves and clusters of bright yellow flowers, this plant originates from East Asia. Plant collectors are drawn to its unique and attractive foliage, as well as its ability to thrive in a variety of growing conditions.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–90°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Chinese Flame Tree?
Plant Chinese Flame Tree in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 7a–10b) and water a young tree every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–90°F (10–32°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Chinese Flame Tree Native To?
What Is the Chinese Flame Tree?
Chinese Flame Tree (Koelreuteria bipinnata) belongs to the Sapindaceae family within the Koelreuteria genus. Chinese Flame Tree is native to southern China. Chinese Flame Tree is also known as Golden Rain Tree, Flame Tree.
Chinese Flame Tree displays a small to medium-sized tree growth habit, reaching up to 25 ft tall with a spread of approximately 20 ft. Chinese Flame Tree produces showy clusters of yellow flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Chinese Flame Tree?
Water a young or newly planted Chinese Flame Tree 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 Chinese Flame Tree Need?
Chinese Flame Tree thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Chinese Flame Tree Prefer?
Koelreuteria bipinnata tolerates temperatures of 50–90°F. Chinese Flame Tree prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–90°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Chinese Flame Tree?
Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Chinese Flame Tree to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Chinese Flame Tree?
Feed Chinese Flame Tree 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 Chinese Flame Tree?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Chinese Flame Tree is suited to USDA Zone 7a – 10b.
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 Chinese Flame Tree?
Chinese Flame Tree can spread to about 20 ft (6.1 m) and reach about 25 ft (8 m) tall. Space plants about 20 ft (6.1 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 Chinese Flame Tree?
Prune Chinese Flame Tree 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 Chinese Flame Tree in Winter?
Chinese Flame Tree is hardy down to USDA zone 7a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.
Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.
Young and container-grown trees need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.
How Do You Propagate a Chinese Flame Tree?
Chinese Flame Tree can be propagated through seeds, softwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to golden rain tree plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Chinese Flame Tree Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Chinese Flame Tree, 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 Chinese Flame Tree?
Chinese Flame Tree is susceptible to aphids, 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 Chinese Flame Tree Need?
Chinese Flame Tree grows outdoors in USDA Zone 7a – 10b. It survives winters down to planting zone 7a. Chinese Flame Tree is native to southern China.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 7a – 10b
Keep exploring plants
Chinese Flame Tree 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 Koelreuteria genus — compare its care with other Koelreuteria species on PlantoScan.
Koelreuteria is part of the Sapindaceae plant family — browse all Sapindaceae genera and species.
Chinese Flame Tree 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: Koelreuteria bipinnata Franch., family Sapindaceae (first published in Bull. Soc. Bot. France 33: 453 (1886)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Chinese Flame Tree, 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.
- Photo: Jiao Sun (孙娇), CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 7a – 10b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- 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.
Identify Plants Like the
Chinese Flame Tree Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species