Psychotria hombroniana Plant Care
Psychotria hombroniana (Baill.) Fosberg
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Psychotria hombroniana is shrub or tree in the family Rubiaceae that is endemic to the Caroline and Mariana Islands in the northwest Pacific Ocean.
Every 7–10 days
Bright indirect light
65–80°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Psychotria hombroniana?
Plant Psychotria hombroniana in bright indirect light (USDA zones 13b) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 65–80°F (18–27°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Psychotria hombroniana?
Psychotria hombroniana (Psychotria hombroniana) belongs to the Rubiaceae family within the Psychotria genus. Psychotria hombroniana is native to the Caroline and Mariana Islands in the northwest Pacific Ocean.
Psychotria hombroniana displays an upright, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Psychotria hombroniana produces small clusters of white or pink flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Psychotria hombroniana?
Water a young or newly planted Psychotria hombroniana every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Psychotria hombroniana Need?
Psychotria hombroniana thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Psychotria hombroniana in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect light
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Psychotria hombroniana Prefer?
Psychotria hombroniana tolerates temperatures of 65–80°F. Psychotria hombroniana prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
65–80°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Psychotria hombroniana?
Rich, well-draining soil with high organic matter content. Good drainage is essential for Psychotria hombroniana to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Psychotria hombroniana?
Feed Psychotria hombroniana every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs 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 Psychotria hombroniana?
Choose a spot with bright indirect light and rich, well-draining soil with high organic matter content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Psychotria hombroniana is suited to USDA Zone 13b.
Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.
How Far Apart Should You Plant a Psychotria hombroniana?
Psychotria hombroniana can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 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 plant spacing calculator.
How Do You Prune a Psychotria hombroniana?
Prune Psychotria hombroniana 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 shrub in one year.
How Do You Care for a Psychotria hombroniana in Winter?
Psychotria hombroniana 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.
How Do You Propagate a Psychotria hombroniana?
Psychotria hombroniana can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to psychotria abdita plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Psychotria hombroniana Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Psychotria hombroniana, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
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 Psychotria hombroniana?
Psychotria hombroniana is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, mealybugs. 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 Psychotria hombroniana Need?
Psychotria hombroniana grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Psychotria hombroniana is native to the Caroline and Mariana Islands in the northwest Pacific Ocean. In cooler regions, grow Psychotria hombroniana as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
Psychotria hombroniana 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 Psychotria genus — compare its care with other Psychotria species on PlantoScan.
Psychotria is part of the Rubiaceae plant family — browse all Rubiaceae genera and species.
Psychotria hombroniana thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Psychotria Species
Other Psychotria species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Psychotria hombroniana (Baill.) Fosberg, family Rubiaceae (first published in Phytologia 5: 295 (1955)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Psychotria hombroniana, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13b, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- 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.
