Maesobotrya barteri var. sparsiflora Plant Care
Maesobotrya barteri var. sparsiflora (Scott Elliot) Keay
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Maesobotrya barteri var. sparsiflora is a variety of flowering plant belonging to the family Phyllanthaceae, or by some authors classified in Euphorbiaceae sensu lato, native to Côte d'Ivoire.
Every 7–14 days
Bright indirect to partial shade
60–80°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Maesobotrya barteri var. sparsiflora?
Plant Maesobotrya barteri var. sparsiflora in bright indirect to partial shade (USDA zones 13a) and water a young tree every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Maesobotrya barteri var. sparsiflora Native To?
What Is the Maesobotrya barteri var. sparsiflora?
Maesobotrya barteri var. sparsiflora (Maesobotrya barteri var. sparsiflora) belongs to the Phyllanthaceae family within the Maesobotrya genus. Maesobotrya barteri var. sparsiflora is native to Côte d'Ivoire.
Maesobotrya barteri var. sparsiflora displays a tall, slender tree growth habit, reaching up to 10 ft tall with a spread of approximately 5 ft. Maesobotrya barteri var. sparsiflora produces small clusters of greenish-yellow flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Maesobotrya barteri var. sparsiflora?
Water a young or newly planted Maesobotrya barteri var. sparsiflora 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 Maesobotrya barteri var. sparsiflora Need?
Maesobotrya barteri var. sparsiflora thrives in bright indirect to partial shade. Avoid placing Maesobotrya barteri var. sparsiflora in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Maesobotrya barteri var. sparsiflora Prefer?
Maesobotrya barteri var. sparsiflora tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Maesobotrya barteri var. sparsiflora prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Maesobotrya barteri var. sparsiflora?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Maesobotrya barteri var. sparsiflora to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Maesobotrya barteri var. sparsiflora?
Feed Maesobotrya barteri var. sparsiflora 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 Maesobotrya barteri var. sparsiflora?
Choose a spot with bright indirect to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Maesobotrya barteri var. sparsiflora 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 Maesobotrya barteri var. sparsiflora?
Maesobotrya barteri var. sparsiflora can spread to about 5 ft (1.5 m) and reach about 10 ft (3 m) tall. Space plants about 5 ft (1.5 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 Maesobotrya barteri var. sparsiflora?
Prune Maesobotrya barteri var. sparsiflora 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 Maesobotrya barteri var. sparsiflora in Winter?
Maesobotrya barteri var. sparsiflora 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 Maesobotrya barteri var. sparsiflora?
Maesobotrya barteri var. sparsiflora can be propagated through stem cuttings, air layering.
Is the Maesobotrya barteri var. sparsiflora Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
Mildly toxic to humans and pets if ingested
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 Maesobotrya barteri var. sparsiflora?
Maesobotrya barteri var. sparsiflora is susceptible to spider mites, mealybugs, 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 Maesobotrya barteri var. sparsiflora Need?
Maesobotrya barteri var. sparsiflora grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Maesobotrya barteri var. sparsiflora is native to Côte d'Ivoire. In cooler regions, grow Maesobotrya barteri var. sparsiflora as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Maesobotrya barteri var. sparsiflora 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 Maesobotrya genus — compare its care with other Maesobotrya species on PlantoScan.
Maesobotrya is part of the Phyllanthaceae plant family — browse all Phyllanthaceae genera and species.
Maesobotrya barteri var. sparsiflora 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: Maesobotrya barteri var. sparsiflora (Scott Elliot) Keay, family Phyllanthaceae (first published in Kew Bull. 10: 139 (1955)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Maesobotrya barteri var. sparsiflora is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. 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.
