Griffith's Saraca Plant Care

Griffith's Saraca (Saraca griffithiana) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Saraca genus. Griffith's Saraca is native to Yunnan Province of China and also to Burma (Myanmar). Griffith's Saraca is also known as Griffith's Ashoka.

Griffith's Saraca displays a medium-sized tree, spreading canopy growth habit, reaching up to 30 ft tall with a spread of approximately 20 ft. Griffith's Saraca produces clusters of small, fragrant yellow or orange flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Griffith's Saraca 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.

Griffith's Saraca thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Saraca griffithiana tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Griffith's Saraca prefers humidity levels of 50–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Well-draining, rich loamy soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Good drainage is essential for Griffith's Saraca to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Griffith's Saraca every 4 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, rich loamy soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Griffith's Saraca is suited to USDA Zone 10b – 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.

Griffith's Saraca can spread to about 20 ft (6.1 m) and reach about 30 ft (9 m) tall. Space plants about 20 ft (6.1 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 Griffith's Saraca 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.

Griffith's Saraca is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 10). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Griffith's Saraca can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to ashoka tree plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Griffith's Saraca 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.

Griffith's Saraca grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10b – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10b. Griffith's Saraca is native to Yunnan Province of China and also to Burma (Myanmar). In cooler regions, grow Griffith's Saraca as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.