Hemsley's Snowbell Plant Care

Hemsley's Snowbell (Styrax hemsleyanus) belongs to the Styracaceae family within the Styrax genus. Hemsley's Snowbell is native to central China. Hemsley's Snowbell is also known as Chinese Snowbell.

Hemsley's Snowbell displays a small to medium-sized tree growth habit, reaching up to 30 ft tall with a spread of approximately 20 ft. Hemsley's Snowbell produces fragrant white bell-shaped flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Hemsley's Snowbell 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.

Hemsley's Snowbell thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Styrax hemsleyanus tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Hemsley's Snowbell prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining, loamy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Hemsley's Snowbell to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Hemsley's Snowbell 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 organic matter for moisture retention. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Hemsley's Snowbell 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.

Hemsley's Snowbell 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 Hemsley's Snowbell 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.

Hemsley's Snowbell 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.

Hemsley's Snowbell can be propagated through softwood cuttings, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to japanese snowbell plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Hemsley's Snowbell is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, spider mites. 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.

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