Wild Elder Plant Care

Wild Elder (Nuxia floribunda) belongs to the Stilbaceae family within the Nuxia genus. Wild Elder is native to moist regions of southern Africa, East Africa and central tropical Africa. Wild Elder is also known as Forest Elder, Yellow Elder.

Wild Elder displays a compact, rounded shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Wild Elder produces small tubular white or pink flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Wild Elder every 7–10 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.

Wild Elder thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Nuxia floribunda tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. Wild Elder prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining sandy loam with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Wild Elder to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Wild Elder 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 compost for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Wild Elder is suited to USDA Zone 9b – 11b.

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.

Wild Elder can spread to about 3 ft (0.9 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 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 plant spacing calculator.

Prune Wild Elder 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.

Wild Elder is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 9). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Wild Elder can be propagated through seeds, semi-hardwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to forest elder plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Wild Elder is susceptible to aphids, scale insects. 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.

Wild Elder grows outdoors in USDA Zone 9b – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 9b. Wild Elder is native to moist regions of southern Africa, East Africa and central tropical Africa. In cooler regions, grow Wild Elder as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.