Chinese Lacquer Tree Plant Care

Chinese Lacquer Tree (Toxicodendron vernicifluum) belongs to the Anacardiaceae family within the Toxicodendron genus. Chinese Lacquer Tree is native to China and the Indian subcontinent, and cultivated in regions of China, Japan and Korea. Chinese Lacquer Tree is also known as Japanese Lacquer Tree, Poisonous Lacquer Tree.

Chinese Lacquer Tree displays a vining, sprawling shrub growth habit, reaching up to 30 ft tall with a spread of approximately 25 ft. Chinese Lacquer Tree produces small greenish-white flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Chinese Lacquer Tree every 7–14 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.

Chinese Lacquer Tree thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Toxicodendron vernicifluum tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Chinese Lacquer Tree prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Well-draining sandy soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Chinese Lacquer Tree to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Chinese Lacquer Tree every 2 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.

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 sandy soil with high organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Chinese Lacquer Tree is suited to USDA Zone 5a – 8b.

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.

Chinese Lacquer Tree can spread to about 25 ft (7.6 m) and reach about 30 ft (9 m) tall. Space plants about 25 ft (7.6 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.

Prune Chinese Lacquer Tree 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.

Chinese Lacquer Tree is hardy down to USDA zone 5a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown shrubs need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Chinese Lacquer Tree can be propagated through seeds, root cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to poison ivy plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Chinese Lacquer Tree is susceptible to aphids, 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.

Chinese Lacquer Tree grows outdoors in USDA Zone 5a – 8b. It survives winters down to planting zone 5a. Chinese Lacquer Tree is native to China and the Indian subcontinent, and cultivated in regions of China, Japan and Korea.