Stemonoporus elegans Plant Care
Stemonoporus elegans (Thwaites) Alston
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Stemonoporus elegans is a species of flowering plant in the family Dipterocarpaceae. It is endemic to southwestern Sri Lanka.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
65–85°F
60–80%
At a glance
How do you care for Stemonoporus elegans?
Plant Stemonoporus elegans in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 13b) and water a young tree every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 65–85°F (18–29°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Stemonoporus elegans?
Stemonoporus elegans (Stemonoporus elegans) belongs to the Dipterocarpaceae family within the Stemonoporus genus. Stemonoporus elegans is native to the southern slope of Adam's Peak.
Stemonoporus elegans displays a tall canopy tree growth habit, reaching up to 50 ft tall with a spread of approximately 30 ft. Stemonoporus elegans produces small white or cream-colored flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Stemonoporus elegans?
Water a young or newly planted Stemonoporus elegans 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.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Stemonoporus elegans Need?
Stemonoporus elegans thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Stemonoporus elegans Prefer?
Stemonoporus elegans tolerates temperatures of 65–85°F. Stemonoporus elegans prefers humidity levels of 60–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
65–85°F
Humidity
60–80%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Stemonoporus elegans?
Well-draining loamy soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Stemonoporus elegans to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Stemonoporus elegans?
Feed Stemonoporus elegans 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.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
Where Should You Plant a Stemonoporus elegans?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining loamy soil with high organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Stemonoporus elegans is suited to USDA Zone 13b.
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.
How Far Apart Should You Plant a Stemonoporus elegans?
Stemonoporus elegans can spread to about 30 ft (9.1 m) and reach about 50 ft (15 m) tall. Space plants about 30 ft (9.1 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.
How Do You Prune a Stemonoporus elegans?
Prune Stemonoporus elegans 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.
How Do You Care for a Stemonoporus elegans in Winter?
Stemonoporus elegans 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.
How Do You Propagate a Stemonoporus elegans?
Stemonoporus elegans can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings.
Is the Stemonoporus elegans Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Stemonoporus elegans, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Stemonoporus elegans?
Stemonoporus elegans is susceptible to 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Stemonoporus elegans Need?
Stemonoporus elegans grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Stemonoporus elegans is native to the southern slope of Adam's Peak. In cooler regions, grow Stemonoporus elegans as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
Stemonoporus elegans is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Stemonoporus genus — compare its care with other Stemonoporus species on PlantoScan.
Stemonoporus is part of the Dipterocarpaceae plant family — browse all Dipterocarpaceae genera and species.
Stemonoporus elegans thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Stemonoporus elegans (Thwaites) Alston, family Dipterocarpaceae (first published in Handb. Fl. Ceylon 6(Suppl.): 27 (1931)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Stemonoporus elegans, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13b, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
