East Indian Satinwood Plant Care

East Indian Satinwood (Chloroxylon swietenia) belongs to the Rutaceae family within the Chloroxylon genus. East Indian Satinwood is native to southern India, Sri Lanka, and Madagascar. East Indian Satinwood is also known as Satinwood.

East Indian Satinwood displays a tall, evergreen tree growth habit, reaching up to 30 ft tall with a spread of approximately 15 ft. East Indian Satinwood produces small white fragrant flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted East Indian Satinwood 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.

East Indian Satinwood thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Chloroxylon swietenia tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. East Indian Satinwood prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining loamy soil with added sand and organic matter. Good drainage is essential for East Indian Satinwood to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed East Indian Satinwood 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.

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 organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

East Indian Satinwood 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.

East Indian Satinwood 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 East Indian Satinwood 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.

East Indian Satinwood 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.

East Indian Satinwood can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings.

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East Indian Satinwood is susceptible to citrus leaf miner, aphids, scale insects. 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.

East Indian Satinwood grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. East Indian Satinwood is native to southern India, Sri Lanka, and Madagascar. In cooler regions, grow East Indian Satinwood as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.