Thinouia scandens Plant Care

Thinouia scandens Triana & Planch.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Thinouia scandens is a liana belonging to the soapberry family (Sapindaceae). According to Eames and MacDaniels, this liana's shoots divide lengthwise into two or more strands like a multistranded rope.

🌳Trees🌿Shrubs
Water

Every 7–14 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

60–85°F

Humidity

50–80%

At a glance

How do you care for Thinouia scandens?

Plant Thinouia scandens in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 13a) and water a young tree every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F (16–29°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

What Is the Thinouia scandens?

Thinouia scandens (Thinouia scandens) belongs to the Sapindaceae family within the Thinouia genus.

Thinouia scandens displays a tall, slender tree growth habit, reaching up to 15 ft tall with a spread of approximately 8 ft. Thinouia scandens produces small clusters of white fragrant flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Thinouia scandens?

Water a young or newly planted Thinouia scandens 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 Thinouia scandens Need?

Thinouia scandens thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Thinouia scandens Prefer?

Thinouia scandens tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Thinouia scandens prefers humidity levels of 50–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Temperature

60–85°F

Humidity

50–80%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Thinouia scandens?

Loamy, well-draining soil mix with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Thinouia scandens to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Thinouia scandens?

Feed Thinouia scandens 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.

Fertilizing

Every 6 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 Thinouia scandens?

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and loamy, well-draining soil mix with added compost for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Thinouia scandens 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.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Thinouia scandens?

Thinouia scandens can spread to about 8 ft (2.4 m) and reach about 15 ft (5 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.

How Do You Prune a Thinouia scandens?

Prune Thinouia scandens 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 Thinouia scandens in Winter?

Thinouia scandens 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 Thinouia scandens?

Thinouia scandens can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings.

Is the Thinouia scandens Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Thinouia scandens, 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 Thinouia scandens?

Thinouia scandens is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, 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 Thinouia scandens Need?

Thinouia scandens grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Thinouia scandens as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 13a

Keep exploring plants

Thinouia scandens 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 Thinouia genus — compare its care with other Thinouia species on PlantoScan.

Thinouia is part of the Sapindaceae plant family — browse all Sapindaceae genera and species.

Thinouia scandens 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: Thinouia scandens Triana & Planch., family Sapindaceae (first published in Ann. Sci. Nat., Bot. , sér. 4, 18: 369 (1862)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Thinouia scandens, 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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