Harms's Miro Plant Care

Harms's Miro (Prumnopitys harmsiana) belongs to the Podocarpaceae family within the Prumnopitys genus. Harms's Miro is native to the Andes in Bolivia, Colombia, Peru, and Venezuela. Harms's Miro is also known as Brown Pine.

Harms's Miro displays a tall, conical tree growth habit, reaching up to 50 ft tall with a spread of approximately 20 ft. Harms's Miro produces small, inconspicuous flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Harms's Miro 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.

Harms's Miro thrives in partial to full shade. The optimal light range is 100–500 lux. Avoid placing Harms's Miro in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Prumnopitys harmsiana tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Harms's Miro prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining, acidic soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Harms's Miro to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Harms's Miro 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 partial to full shade and well-draining, acidic soil with high organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Harms's Miro 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.

Harms's Miro can spread to about 20 ft (6.1 m) and reach about 50 ft (15 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 Harms's Miro 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.

Harms's Miro 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.

Harms's Miro can be propagated through seeds, semi-hardwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to chilean plum pine plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Harms's Miro is susceptible to spider mites, 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.

Harms's Miro grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Harms's Miro is native to the Andes in Bolivia, Colombia, Peru, and Venezuela. In cooler regions, grow Harms's Miro as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.