Melicope fellii Plant Care
Melicope fellii T.G.Hartley
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Melicope fellii is a species of tree in the family Rutaceae and is endemic to Queensland. It has trifoliate leaves and pink flowers borne in short panicles in leaf axils.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–85°F
50–80%
At a glance
How do you care for Melicope fellii?
Plant Melicope fellii in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 13a) and water a young tree every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F (16–29°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Melicope fellii Native To?
What Is the Melicope fellii?
Melicope fellii (Melicope fellii) belongs to the Rutaceae family within the Melicope genus. Melicope fellii is native to Queensland.
Melicope fellii displays a small tree or shrub growth habit, reaching up to 10 ft tall with a spread of approximately 8 ft. Melicope fellii produces small, fragrant white flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Melicope fellii?
Water a young or newly planted Melicope fellii 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 Melicope fellii Need?
Melicope fellii thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Melicope fellii Prefer?
Melicope fellii tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Melicope fellii prefers humidity levels of 50–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–85°F
Humidity
50–80%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Melicope fellii?
Well-draining, slightly acidic soil with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Melicope fellii to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Melicope fellii?
Feed Melicope fellii 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 Melicope fellii?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining, slightly acidic soil with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Melicope fellii 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 Melicope fellii?
Melicope fellii can spread to about 8 ft (2.4 m) and reach about 10 ft (3 m) tall. Space plants about 8 ft (2.4 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 Melicope fellii?
Prune Melicope fellii 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 Melicope fellii in Winter?
Melicope fellii 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 Melicope fellii?
Melicope fellii can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to melicope accedens plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Melicope fellii Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Melicope fellii, 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 Melicope fellii?
Melicope fellii is susceptible to citrus leafminer, scale insects, citrus psyllid. 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 Melicope fellii Need?
Melicope fellii grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Melicope fellii is native to Queensland. In cooler regions, grow Melicope fellii as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Melicope fellii 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 Melicope genus — compare its care with other Melicope species on PlantoScan.
Melicope is part of the Rutaceae plant family — browse all Rutaceae genera and species.
Melicope fellii thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Melicope Species
Other Melicope species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Melicope fellii T.G.Hartley, family Rutaceae (first published in Allertonia 8: 218 (2001)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Melicope fellii, 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.
