Red-flowered Ilama Plant Care

Red-flowered Ilama (Polyalthia rufescens) belongs to the Annonaceae family within the Polyalthia genus. Red-flowered Ilama is native to Kerala and Tamil Nadu in India. Red-flowered Ilama is also known as Red Ivory-wood, Rusty-leaved Polyalthia.

Red-flowered Ilama displays an upright, pyramidal tree growth habit, reaching up to 30 ft tall with a spread of approximately 15 ft. Red-flowered Ilama produces small greenish-yellow flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Red-flowered Ilama 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.

Red-flowered Ilama thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Polyalthia rufescens tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Red-flowered Ilama prefers humidity levels of 50–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Red-flowered Ilama to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Red-flowered Ilama 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 for moisture retention. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Red-flowered Ilama is suited to USDA Zone 11a – 12b.

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.

Red-flowered Ilama 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 Red-flowered Ilama 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.

Red-flowered Ilama is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 11). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Red-flowered Ilama can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to narrow-leaved polyalthia plant care, which shares the same genus.

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Red-flowered Ilama is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, 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.

Red-flowered Ilama grows outdoors in USDA Zone 11a – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 11a. Red-flowered Ilama is native to Kerala and Tamil Nadu in India. In cooler regions, grow Red-flowered Ilama as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.