Bead Tree Plant Care

Bead Tree (Ormosia amazonica) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Ormosia genus. Bead Tree is native to the Amazon rainforest. Bead Tree is also known as Coral Tree, Necklace Tree.

Bead Tree displays a tall, upright tree growth habit, reaching up to 30 ft tall with a spread of approximately 15 ft. Bead Tree produces small clusters of red, pink, or white flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Bead Tree 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.

Bead Tree thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Ormosia amazonica tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Bead Tree prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Bead Tree to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Bead Tree 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 full sun to partial shade and well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Bead Tree is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

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.

Bead Tree can spread to about 15 ft (4.6 m) and reach about 30 ft (9 m) tall. Space plants about 15 ft (4.6 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 Bead Tree 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.

Bead Tree 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.

Bead Tree can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to beadwood plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Bead Tree is susceptible to aphids, leaf miners, 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.

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