Mountain Pagoda Plant Care
Mimetes saxatilis E.Phillips
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Mimetes saxatilis or limestone pagoda is an evergreen, upright, rarely branching shrub of 1–2¼ m (3⅓–7¼ ft) high, assigned to the family Proteaceae. The approximately oval leaves are 3½–5 cm (1.4–2.0 in) long and 1½–3 cm (0.6–1.2 in) wide with a blunt, thickened, reddish tip or with three crowded teeth.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Mountain Pagoda?
Plant Mountain Pagoda in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young tree every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Mountain Pagoda?
Mountain Pagoda (Mimetes saxatilis) belongs to the Proteaceae family within the Mimetes genus. Mountain Pagoda is also known as Stone Pagoda.
Mountain Pagoda displays an upright, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Mountain Pagoda produces showy, tubular flowers in shades of red, orange, or yellow.
Leaf size: approximately 8 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Mountain Pagoda?
Water a young or newly planted Mountain Pagoda every 7–10 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 7–10 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Mountain Pagoda Need?
Mountain Pagoda thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Mountain Pagoda Prefer?
Mimetes saxatilis tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Mountain Pagoda prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Mountain Pagoda?
Well-draining acidic soil mix with sand and peat moss. Good drainage is essential for Mountain Pagoda to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Mountain Pagoda?
Feed Mountain Pagoda 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 Mountain Pagoda?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining acidic soil mix with sand and peat moss. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Mountain Pagoda is suited to USDA Zone 12a.
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 Mountain Pagoda?
Mountain Pagoda can spread to about 3 ft (0.9 m) and reach about 5 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 3 ft (0.9 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 Mountain Pagoda?
Prune Mountain Pagoda 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 Mountain Pagoda in Winter?
Mountain Pagoda is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). 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 Mountain Pagoda?
Mountain Pagoda can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to tree mimetes plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Mountain Pagoda Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Mountain Pagoda, 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 Mountain Pagoda?
Mountain Pagoda is susceptible to aphids, 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 Mountain Pagoda Need?
Mountain Pagoda grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Mountain Pagoda as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Mountain Pagoda 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 Mimetes genus — compare its care with other Mimetes species on PlantoScan.
Mimetes is part of the Proteaceae plant family — browse all Proteaceae genera and species.
Mountain Pagoda thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Mimetes Species
Other Mimetes species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Mimetes saxatilis E.Phillips, family Proteaceae (first published in Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 1911: 84 (1911)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Mountain Pagoda, 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 12a, 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.
