Mountain Ribbonwood Plant Care

Mountain Ribbonwood (Plagianthus betulinus) belongs to the Malvaceae family within the Plagianthus genus. Mountain Ribbonwood is native to New Zealand. Mountain Ribbonwood is also known as Lemonwood.

Mountain Ribbonwood displays a tall, slender tree growth habit, reaching up to 30 ft tall with a spread of approximately 15 ft. Mountain Ribbonwood produces small white flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Mountain Ribbonwood 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.

Mountain Ribbonwood thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Plagianthus betulinus tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Mountain Ribbonwood prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Mountain Ribbonwood to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Mountain Ribbonwood 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 compost for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Mountain Ribbonwood is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

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.

Mountain Ribbonwood 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 Mountain Ribbonwood 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.

Mountain Ribbonwood 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.

Mountain Ribbonwood can be propagated through seeds, softwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to ribbonwood plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Mountain Ribbonwood is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, caterpillars. 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.

Mountain Ribbonwood grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Mountain Ribbonwood is native to New Zealand. In cooler regions, grow Mountain Ribbonwood as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.