Florida Ziziphus Plant Care

Florida Ziziphus (Pseudoziziphus celata) belongs to the Rhamnaceae family within the Pseudoziziphus genus. Florida Ziziphus is native to the Lake Wales Ridge in central Florida.

Florida Ziziphus displays a small tree, spreading canopy growth habit, reaching up to 15 ft tall with a spread of approximately 10 ft. Florida Ziziphus produces small greenish-white flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Florida Ziziphus 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.

Florida Ziziphus thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Pseudoziziphus celata tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Florida Ziziphus prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Loamy, well-draining soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Florida Ziziphus to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Florida Ziziphus 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 loamy, well-draining soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Florida Ziziphus is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

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.

Florida Ziziphus can spread to about 10 ft (3 m) and reach about 15 ft (5 m) tall. Space plants about 10 ft (3 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 Florida Ziziphus 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.

Florida Ziziphus is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Florida Ziziphus can be propagated through seeds, hardwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to parry's ziziphus plant care, which shares the same genus.

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Florida Ziziphus 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.

Florida Ziziphus grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Florida Ziziphus is native to the Lake Wales Ridge in central Florida. In cooler regions, grow Florida Ziziphus as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.