Tara tinctoria Plant Care
Tara tinctoria Molina
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Tara spinosa, commonly known as tara (Quechua), also known as Peruvian carob or spiny holdback, is a small leguminous tree or thorny shrub native to Peru. T.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Tara tinctoria?
Water Tara tinctoria every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Tara tinctoria Native To?
What Is the Tara tinctoria?
Tara tinctoria (Tara tinctoria) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Tara genus. Tara tinctoria is native to Peru.
Tara tinctoria displays a vining, climbing shrub growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Tara tinctoria produces showy clusters of pink, purple, or white pea-like flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Tara tinctoria?
Tara tinctoria requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Tara tinctoria Need?
Tara tinctoria thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Tara tinctoria Prefer?
Tara tinctoria grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Tara tinctoria prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Tara tinctoria?
Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Tara tinctoria to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Tara tinctoria?
Feed Tara tinctoria every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Tara tinctoria?
Repot every 1-2 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Tara tinctoria?
Tara tinctoria can be propagated through seeds, division of root ball.
Is the Tara tinctoria Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Tara tinctoria, 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 Tara tinctoria?
Tara tinctoria is susceptible to aphids, leafhoppers, whiteflies. 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 Tara tinctoria Need?
Tara tinctoria grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Tara tinctoria is native to Peru. In cooler regions, grow Tara tinctoria as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Tara tinctoria 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 Tara genus (family Fabaceae) — search all Tara species in the plant lookup.
Tara tinctoria 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: Tara tinctoria Molina, family Fabaceae (first published in Sag. Stor. Nat. Chili , ed. 2: 153 (1810)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Tara tinctoria, 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 13a, 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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