Beccari's Cherry Plant Care
Prunus beccarii (Ridl.) Kalkman
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant's distinctive feature is its attractive oval leaves with a glossy, dark green surface and a velvety texture underneath. Originating from New Guinea, Prunus beccarii is a desirable addition to plant collectors' gardens due to its unique foliage and pink, fragrant flowers that bloom in clusters.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–90°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Beccari's Cherry?
Plant Beccari's Cherry in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 11a–12b) and water a young tree every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–90°F (16–32°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
What Is the Beccari's Cherry?
Beccari's Cherry (Prunus beccarii) belongs to the Rosaceae family within the Prunus genus. Beccari's Cherry is native to Borneo with a few sterile specimens discovered on Sumatra.
Beccari's Cherry displays an upright, spreading tree growth habit, reaching up to 20 ft tall with a spread of approximately 15 ft. Beccari's Cherry produces showy clusters of white or pink blossoms.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Beccari's Cherry?
Water a young or newly planted Beccari's Cherry 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.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Beccari's Cherry Need?
Beccari's Cherry thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Beccari's Cherry Prefer?
Prunus beccarii tolerates temperatures of 60–90°F. Beccari's Cherry prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–90°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Beccari's Cherry?
Well-draining loamy soil with good organic content. Good drainage is essential for Beccari's Cherry to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Beccari's Cherry?
Feed Beccari's Cherry 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.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
Where Should You Plant a Beccari's Cherry?
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.
Beccari's Cherry 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.
How Far Apart Should You Plant a Beccari's Cherry?
Beccari's Cherry can spread to about 15 ft (4.6 m) and reach about 20 ft (6 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.
How Do You Prune a Beccari's Cherry?
Prune Beccari's Cherry 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.
How Do You Care for a Beccari's Cherry in Winter?
Beccari's Cherry 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.
How Do You Propagate a Beccari's Cherry?
Beccari's Cherry can be propagated through softwood cuttings, hardwood cuttings, grafting. Similar propagation techniques also apply to apricot tree plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Beccari's Cherry Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Beccari's Cherry?
Beccari's Cherry 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Beccari's Cherry Need?
Beccari's Cherry grows outdoors in USDA Zone 11a – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 11a. Beccari's Cherry is native to Borneo with a few sterile specimens discovered on Sumatra. In cooler regions, grow Beccari's Cherry as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 11a – 12b
Keep exploring plants
Beccari's Cherry is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Prunus genus — compare its care with other Prunus species on PlantoScan.
Prunus is part of the Rosaceae plant family — browse all Rosaceae genera and species.
Beccari's Cherry thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Prunus Species
Other Prunus species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Prunus beccarii (Ridl.) Kalkman, family Rosaceae (first published in Blumea 13: 104 (1965)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Beccari's Cherry is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 11a – 12b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
