Micropholis garciniifolia Plant Care
Micropholis garciniifolia Pierre
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Micropholis garciniifolia is a species of plant in the family Sapotaceae. It is endemic to Puerto Rico, where it is known as caimitillo verde.
Every 7–14 days
Partial shade to full sun
65–85°F
50–80%
At a glance
How do you care for Micropholis garciniifolia?
Plant Micropholis garciniifolia in partial shade to full sun (USDA zones 13b) and water a young tree every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 65–85°F (18–29°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Micropholis garciniifolia Native To?
What Is the Micropholis garciniifolia?
Micropholis garciniifolia (Micropholis garciniifolia) belongs to the Sapotaceae family within the Micropholis genus. Micropholis garciniifolia is native to Puerto Rico.
Micropholis garciniifolia displays a slow-growing small tree growth habit, reaching up to 15 ft tall with a spread of approximately 8 ft. Micropholis garciniifolia produces small, inconspicuous greenish-white flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Micropholis garciniifolia?
Water a young or newly planted Micropholis garciniifolia 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 Micropholis garciniifolia Need?
Micropholis garciniifolia thrives in partial shade to full sun.
Light Requirement
Partial shade to full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Micropholis garciniifolia Prefer?
Micropholis garciniifolia tolerates temperatures of 65–85°F. Micropholis garciniifolia prefers humidity levels of 50–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
65–85°F
Humidity
50–80%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Micropholis garciniifolia?
Well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Micropholis garciniifolia to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Micropholis garciniifolia?
Feed Micropholis garciniifolia 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 Micropholis garciniifolia?
Choose a spot with partial shade to full sun and well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Micropholis garciniifolia is suited to USDA Zone 13b.
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 Micropholis garciniifolia?
Micropholis garciniifolia can spread to about 8 ft (2.4 m) and reach about 15 ft (5 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 Micropholis garciniifolia?
Prune Micropholis garciniifolia 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 Micropholis garciniifolia in Winter?
Micropholis garciniifolia 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 Micropholis garciniifolia?
Micropholis garciniifolia can be propagated through seeds, air layering. Similar propagation techniques also apply to micropholis brochidodroma plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Micropholis garciniifolia Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Micropholis garciniifolia, 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 Micropholis garciniifolia?
Micropholis garciniifolia is susceptible to scale insects, mealybugs, 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 Micropholis garciniifolia Need?
Micropholis garciniifolia grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Micropholis garciniifolia is native to Puerto Rico. In cooler regions, grow Micropholis garciniifolia as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
Micropholis garciniifolia 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 Micropholis genus — compare its care with other Micropholis species on PlantoScan.
Micropholis is part of the Sapotaceae plant family — browse all Sapotaceae genera and species.
Micropholis garciniifolia thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Micropholis Species
Other Micropholis species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Micropholis garciniifolia Pierre, family Sapotaceae (first published in Notes Bot. Sapot. : 38 (1891)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Micropholis garciniifolia, 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 13b, 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.
