Kratom Plant Care
Pachygone ovata (Poir.) Diels
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Pachygone ovata, the fish berry, is a climbing plant from northern Australia. The fruit has been used in folk medicine and for fish poison.
Bright indirect to partial shade
At a glance
How do you care for Kratom?
Kratom grows best in bright indirect to partial shade. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
What Is the Kratom?
Kratom (Pachygone ovata) belongs to the Menispermaceae family within the Pachygone genus.
Kratom displays a climbing vine, twining shrub growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Kratom produces small greenish-yellow flowers in clusters.
What Light Does the Kratom Need?
Kratom thrives in bright indirect to partial shade. Avoid placing Kratom in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect to partial shade
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Kratom?
Rich, well-draining soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Good drainage is essential for Kratom to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Kratom?
Repot every 1-2 years in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Kratom?
Kratom can be propagated through softwood cuttings, air layering.
Is the Kratom Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
Toxic to humans and pets if ingested
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Kratom?
Kratom is susceptible to spider mites, scale insects, mealybugs. 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.
Keep exploring plants
Kratom is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Pachygone genus — compare its care with other Pachygone species on PlantoScan.
Pachygone is part of the Menispermaceae plant family — browse all Menispermaceae genera and species.
Kratom thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Pachygone ovata (Poir.) Diels, family Menispermaceae (first published in Pflanzenr. IV.94(Heft 46): 243 1910) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Kratom is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
