Howard's Ternstroemia Plant Care

Howard's Ternstroemia (Ternstroemia howardiana) belongs to the Pentaphylacaceae family within the Ternstroemia genus. Howard's Ternstroemia is native to Jamaica.

Howard's Ternstroemia displays an upright, dense shrub growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Howard's Ternstroemia produces small, fragrant white or pink blooms.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Howard's Ternstroemia every 7–10 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.

Howard's Ternstroemia thrives in partial shade to full sun.

Ternstroemia howardiana tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Howard's Ternstroemia prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Well-draining acidic soil with high organic matter content. Good drainage is essential for Howard's Ternstroemia to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Howard's Ternstroemia 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 partial shade to full sun and well-draining acidic soil with high organic matter content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Howard's Ternstroemia 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.

Howard's Ternstroemia can spread to about 4 ft (1.2 m) and reach about 6 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 4 ft (1.2 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.

Prune Howard's Ternstroemia 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.

Howard's Ternstroemia 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.

Howard's Ternstroemia can be propagated through seeds, semi-hardwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to ternstroemia bullata plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Howard's Ternstroemia 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.

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