Athel Tree Plant Care

Athel Tree (Tamarix aphylla) belongs to the Tamaricaceae family within the Tamarix genus. Athel Tree is also known as Tamarisk, Desert Tamarisk.

Athel Tree displays a graceful, upright shrub growth habit, reaching up to 10 ft tall with a spread of approximately 8 ft. Athel Tree produces small, pink to white feathery blooms in dense spikes.

Leaf size: approximately 0.5 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Athel Tree 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.

Athel Tree thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Tamarix aphylla tolerates temperatures of 50–90°F. Athel Tree prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Sandy, well-draining soil with good aeration. Good drainage is essential for Athel Tree to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Athel Tree 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 sandy, well-draining soil with good aeration. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Athel Tree is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

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.

Athel Tree can spread to about 8 ft (2.4 m) and reach about 10 ft (3 m) tall. Space plants about 8 ft (2.4 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 Athel Tree 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.

Athel Tree is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Athel Tree can be propagated through seeds, softwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to tamarisk plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Athel Tree 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.

Athel Tree grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Athel Tree as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.