Red Mastic Plant Care

Red Mastic (Sideroxylon rotundifolium) belongs to the Sapotaceae family within the Sideroxylon genus. Red Mastic is native to Jamaica. Red Mastic is also known as Roundleaf Bully.

Red Mastic displays a tall, upright tree growth habit, reaching up to 30 ft tall with a spread of approximately 15 ft. Red Mastic produces small, inconspicuous flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Red Mastic 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.

Red Mastic thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Sideroxylon rotundifolium tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Red Mastic prefers humidity levels of 50–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Well-draining loamy soil with added sand and perlite for improved drainage. Good drainage is essential for Red Mastic to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Red Mastic 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 full sun to partial shade and well-draining loamy soil with added sand and perlite for improved drainage. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Red Mastic 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.

Red Mastic 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 Red Mastic 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.

Red Mastic 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.

Red Mastic can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to false ironwood plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Red Mastic is susceptible to scale insects, spider mites, 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.

Red Mastic grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10b – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10b. Red Mastic is native to Jamaica. In cooler regions, grow Red Mastic as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.