Red-fruited Toechima Plant Care
Toechima erythrocarpum (F.Muell.) Radlk.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Toechima erythrocarpum, also known as pink tamarind and foambark, is a species of plant in the lychee family Sapindaceae that is native to Australia and New Guinea.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–85°F
50–80%
At a glance
How do you care for Red-fruited Toechima?
Plant Red-fruited Toechima 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.
Where Is the Red-fruited Toechima Native To?
What Is the Red-fruited Toechima?
Red-fruited Toechima (Toechima erythrocarpum) belongs to the Sapindaceae family within the Toechima genus. Red-fruited Toechima is native to Australia and New Guinea.
Red-fruited Toechima displays a tall, upright tree growth habit, reaching up to 30 ft tall with a spread of approximately 15 ft. Red-fruited Toechima produces small white flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Red-fruited Toechima?
Water a young or newly planted Red-fruited Toechima 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 Red-fruited Toechima Need?
Red-fruited Toechima thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Red-fruited Toechima Prefer?
Toechima erythrocarpum tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Red-fruited Toechima 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 Red-fruited Toechima?
Well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Red-fruited Toechima to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Red-fruited Toechima?
Feed Red-fruited Toechima 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 Red-fruited Toechima?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Red-fruited Toechima 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 Red-fruited Toechima?
Red-fruited Toechima 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.
How Do You Prune a Red-fruited Toechima?
Prune Red-fruited Toechima 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 Red-fruited Toechima in Winter?
Red-fruited Toechima 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 Red-fruited Toechima?
Red-fruited Toechima can be propagated through seeds, air layering. Similar propagation techniques also apply to native olive plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Red-fruited Toechima Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Red-fruited Toechima, 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 Red-fruited Toechima?
Red-fruited Toechima 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 Red-fruited Toechima Need?
Red-fruited Toechima grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Red-fruited Toechima is native to Australia and New Guinea. In cooler regions, grow Red-fruited Toechima as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Red-fruited Toechima 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 Toechima genus — compare its care with other Toechima species on PlantoScan.
Toechima is part of the Sapindaceae plant family — browse all Sapindaceae genera and species.
Red-fruited Toechima 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: Toechima erythrocarpum (F.Muell.) Radlk., family Sapindaceae (first published in Sitzungsber. Math.-Phys. Cl. Königl. Bayer. Akad. Wiss. München 9: 671 (1879)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Red-fruited Toechima, 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.
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