Sallywood Plant Care

Sallywood (Morisonia cynophallophora) belongs to the Capparaceae family within the Morisonia genus. Sallywood is native to the Neotropical realm. Sallywood is also known as Yellow Sage, Yellow Sage Tree.

Sallywood displays a compact, spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Sallywood produces small white flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Sallywood every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Sallywood thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Morisonia cynophallophora tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Sallywood prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Sallywood to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Sallywood every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs 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 full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Sallywood is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Sallywood can spread to about 4 ft (1.2 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 4 ft (1.2 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 plant spacing calculator.

Prune Sallywood 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 shrub in one year.

Sallywood 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.

Sallywood can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to morisonia flexuosa plant care, which shares the same genus.

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Sallywood 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.

Sallywood grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Sallywood is native to the Neotropical realm. In cooler regions, grow Sallywood as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.