Vatica badiifolia Plant Care

Vatica badiifolia P.S.Ashton

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Vatica badiifolia is a tree in the family Dipterocarpaceae, native to Borneo. The specific epithet badiifolia means "chestnut brown leaf", referring to the colour of the dry leaf.

Water

Every 7–14 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

65–85°F

Humidity

60–80%

At a glance

How do you care for Vatica badiifolia?

Plant Vatica badiifolia 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 8 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Vatica badiifolia Native To?

Native range3 countries

What Is the Vatica badiifolia?

Vatica badiifolia (Vatica badiifolia) belongs to the Dipterocarpaceae family within the Vatica genus. Vatica badiifolia is native to Borneo.

Vatica badiifolia displays a tall canopy tree growth habit, reaching up to 100 ft tall with a spread of approximately 50 ft. Vatica badiifolia produces small, inconspicuous flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Vatica badiifolia?

Water a young or newly planted Vatica badiifolia 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 Vatica badiifolia Need?

Vatica badiifolia thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Vatica badiifolia Prefer?

Vatica badiifolia tolerates temperatures of 65–85°F. Vatica badiifolia 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 Vatica badiifolia?

Well-draining loamy soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Vatica badiifolia to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Vatica badiifolia?

Feed Vatica badiifolia every 8 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 8 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 Vatica badiifolia?

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.

Vatica badiifolia 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 Vatica badiifolia?

Vatica badiifolia can spread to about 50 ft (15.2 m) and reach about 100 ft (30 m) tall. Space plants about 50 ft (15.2 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 Vatica badiifolia?

Prune Vatica badiifolia 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 Vatica badiifolia in Winter?

Vatica badiifolia 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 Vatica badiifolia?

Vatica badiifolia can be propagated through seeds, cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to white meranti plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Vatica badiifolia Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Vatica badiifolia, 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 Vatica badiifolia?

Vatica badiifolia is susceptible to bark beetles, leaf miners, 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 Vatica badiifolia Need?

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

Hardiness Zone

Zone 13b

Keep exploring plants

Vatica badiifolia 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 Vatica genus — compare its care with other Vatica species on PlantoScan.

Vatica is part of the Dipterocarpaceae plant family — browse all Dipterocarpaceae genera and species.

Vatica badiifolia thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Vatica Species

Other Vatica species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Vatica badiifolia P.S.Ashton, family Dipterocarpaceae (first published in Gard. Bull. Singapore 22: 266 (1967)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Vatica badiifolia, 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.

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