Mountain sandalwood Plant Care

Mountain sandalwood (Santalum insulare var. alticola) belongs to the Santalaceae family within the Santalum genus. Mountain sandalwood is native to the south-central Pacific, including the Cook Islands, Marquesas Islands, Pitcairn Islands, Society Islands, and Tubuai Islands. Mountain sandalwood is also known as Hawaiian sandalwood.

Mountain sandalwood displays a slow-growing small tree growth habit, reaching up to 15 ft tall with a spread of approximately 10 ft. Mountain sandalwood produces small, fragrant flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Mountain sandalwood every 10–14 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.

Mountain sandalwood thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Santalum insulare var. alticola tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Mountain sandalwood prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Well-draining sandy soil mix with good organic content. Good drainage is essential for Mountain sandalwood to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Mountain sandalwood 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 full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy soil mix with good organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Mountain sandalwood 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.

Mountain sandalwood 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 Mountain sandalwood 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.

Mountain sandalwood 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.

Mountain sandalwood can be propagated through seeds, semi-hardwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to quandong plant care, which shares the same genus.

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Mountain sandalwood is susceptible to scale insects, spider mites. 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.

Mountain sandalwood grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Mountain sandalwood is native to the south-central Pacific, including the Cook Islands, Marquesas Islands, Pitcairn Islands, Society Islands, and Tubuai Islands. In cooler regions, grow Mountain sandalwood as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.