Persian Ironwood Plant Care

Persian Ironwood (Parrotia persica) belongs to the Hamamelidaceae family within the Parrotia genus. Persian Ironwood is native to the Caspian region of northern Iran and southeastern Azerbaijan. Persian Ironwood is also known as Persian Parrotia.

Persian Ironwood displays a small to medium-sized deciduous tree growth habit, reaching up to 30 ft tall with a spread of approximately 20 ft. Persian Ironwood produces inconspicuous red flowers in late winter to early spring.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Persian Ironwood 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.

Persian Ironwood thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Parrotia persica tolerates temperatures of 0–100°F. Persian Ironwood prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining, loamy soil with good organic content. Good drainage is essential for Persian Ironwood to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Persian Ironwood every 8 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 good organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Persian Ironwood is suited to USDA Zone 4a – 8b.

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.

Persian Ironwood can spread to about 20 ft (6.1 m) and reach about 30 ft (9 m) tall. Space plants about 20 ft (6.1 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 Persian Ironwood 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.

Persian Ironwood is hardy down to USDA zone 4a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown trees need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Persian Ironwood can be propagated through seeds, hardwood cuttings.

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Persian Ironwood 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.

Persian Ironwood grows outdoors in USDA Zone 4a – 8b. It survives winters down to planting zone 4a. Persian Ironwood is native to the Caspian region of northern Iran and southeastern Azerbaijan.