Bean's Meliosma Plant Care

Bean's Meliosma (Meliosma beaniana) belongs to the Sabiaceae family within the Meliosma genus. Bean's Meliosma is native to China, Japan, Taiwan. Bean's Meliosma is also known as Bean's Umbrella Tree.

Bean's Meliosma displays an upright, spreading tree growth habit, reaching up to 30 ft tall with a spread of approximately 20 ft. Bean's Meliosma produces small clusters of white or cream-colored flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Bean's Meliosma 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.

Bean's Meliosma thrives in partial shade to full sun.

Meliosma beaniana tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Bean's Meliosma prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. 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 Bean's Meliosma to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Bean's Meliosma 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 partial shade to full sun and rich, well-draining soil with high organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Bean's Meliosma is suited to USDA Zone 6a – 8b.

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.

Bean's Meliosma can spread to about 20 ft (6.1 m) and reach about 30 ft (9 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.

Prune Bean's Meliosma 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.

Bean's Meliosma is hardy down to USDA zone 6a, 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.

Bean's Meliosma can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to meliosma cordata plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Bean's Meliosma 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.

Bean's Meliosma grows outdoors in USDA Zone 6a – 8b. It survives winters down to planting zone 6a. Bean's Meliosma is native to China, Japan, Taiwan.