Wallich's Schima Plant Care

Wallich's Schima (Schima wallichii) belongs to the Theaceae family within the Schima genus. Wallich's Schima is also known as Himalayan Schima.

Wallich's Schima displays a tall, evergreen tree growth habit, reaching up to 30 ft tall with a spread of approximately 15 ft. Wallich's Schima produces showy white or pink flowers with yellow centers.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Wallich's Schima 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.

Wallich's Schima thrives in partial shade to full sun.

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

Well-draining, acidic soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Wallich's Schima to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Wallich's Schima 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 partial shade to full sun and well-draining, acidic soil with high organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Wallich's Schima 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.

Wallich's Schima can spread to about 15 ft (4.6 m) and reach about 30 ft (9 m) tall. Space plants about 15 ft (4.6 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 tree spacing calculator.

Prune Wallich's Schima 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.

Wallich's Schima 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.

Wallich's Schima can be propagated through seeds, semi-hardwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to shortleaf schima plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Wallich's Schima is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, leaf miners. 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.

Wallich's Schima grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Wallich's Schima as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.