Khinjuk Pistache Plant Care

Khinjuk Pistache (Pistacia khinjuk) belongs to the Anacardiaceae family within the Pistacia genus. Khinjuk Pistache is native to Egypt, western Asia and parts of the Himalayas. Khinjuk Pistache is also known as Wild Pistache.

Khinjuk Pistache displays a small to medium-sized tree growth habit, reaching up to 30 ft tall with a spread of approximately 20 ft. Khinjuk Pistache produces inconspicuous greenish flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Khinjuk Pistache 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.

Khinjuk Pistache thrives in full sun.

Pistacia khinjuk tolerates temperatures of 50–90°F. Khinjuk Pistache prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining sandy loam with good organic content. Good drainage is essential for Khinjuk Pistache to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Khinjuk Pistache 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 and well-draining sandy loam with good organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Khinjuk Pistache is suited to USDA Zone 8a – 11b.

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.

Khinjuk Pistache 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 Khinjuk Pistache 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.

Khinjuk Pistache is hardy down to USDA zone 8a, 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.

Khinjuk Pistache can be propagated through seeds, hardwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to karee plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Khinjuk Pistache is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, 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.

Khinjuk Pistache grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8a – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 8a. Khinjuk Pistache is native to Egypt, western Asia and parts of the Himalayas.