Yellow Elder Plant Care

Yellow Elder (Nuxia glomerulata) belongs to the Stilbaceae family within the Nuxia genus. Yellow Elder is native to the Northern Provinces of South Africa. Yellow Elder is also known as Forest Elder.

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

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Yellow 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.

Yellow Elder thrives in full sun to partial shade.

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

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

Feed Yellow 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.

Yellow Elder is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

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.

Yellow 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 Yellow 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.

Yellow Elder 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.

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

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Yellow 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.

Yellow Elder grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Yellow Elder is native to the Northern Provinces of South Africa. In cooler regions, grow Yellow Elder as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.