White Barbadoes Plant Care

White Barbadoes (Calycophyllum candidissimum) belongs to the Rubiaceae family within the Calycophyllum genus. White Barbadoes is native to southern Mexico, Cuba, Central America, Colombia, and Venezuela. White Barbadoes is also known as Lemonwood, Canebrake.

White Barbadoes displays a small tree, shrub growth habit, reaching up to 10 ft tall with a spread of approximately 8 ft. White Barbadoes produces small, fragrant white flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted White Barbadoes 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.

White Barbadoes thrives in partial shade to full sun.

Calycophyllum candidissimum tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. White Barbadoes prefers humidity levels of 50–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Well-draining, acidic soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for White Barbadoes to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed White Barbadoes 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 well-draining, acidic soil with high organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

White Barbadoes is suited to USDA Zone 10b – 11b.

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.

White Barbadoes 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.

Prune White Barbadoes 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.

White Barbadoes is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 10). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

White Barbadoes can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to calycophyllum spruceanum plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

White Barbadoes 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.

White Barbadoes grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10b – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10b. White Barbadoes is native to southern Mexico, Cuba, Central America, Colombia, and Venezuela. In cooler regions, grow White Barbadoes as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.