Mexican Devil Tree Plant Care

Mexican Devil Tree (Sebastiania trinervia) belongs to the Euphorbiaceae family within the Sebastiania genus. Mexican Devil Tree is native to Bahia, Brazil. Mexican Devil Tree is also known as Mexican Croton.

Mexican Devil Tree displays an upright, branching shrub growth habit, reaching up to 4 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Mexican Devil Tree produces small greenish flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 5 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Mexican Devil Tree 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.

Mexican Devil Tree thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Mexican Devil Tree in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Sebastiania trinervia tolerates temperatures of 65–80°F. Mexican Devil Tree prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Mexican Devil Tree to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Mexican Devil Tree 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.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with bright indirect light and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Mexican Devil Tree 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.

Mexican Devil Tree can spread to about 3 ft (0.9 m) and reach about 4 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 3 ft (0.9 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 Mexican Devil 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.

Mexican Devil Tree 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.

Mexican Devil Tree can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to sebastiania argutidens plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Mexican Devil Tree is susceptible to spider mites, aphids, 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.

Mexican Devil Tree grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Mexican Devil Tree is native to Bahia, Brazil. In cooler regions, grow Mexican Devil Tree as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.