Jamaican Mahogany Plant Care

Jamaican Mahogany (Trichilia acuminata) belongs to the Meliaceae family within the Trichilia genus. Jamaican Mahogany is native to Colombia and Panama. Jamaican Mahogany is also known as Cigar Box Cedar.

Jamaican Mahogany displays a tall, upright tree growth habit, reaching up to 30 ft tall with a spread of approximately 15 ft. Jamaican Mahogany produces small, fragrant white flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Jamaican Mahogany 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.

Jamaican Mahogany thrives in full sun to partial shade.

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

Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Jamaican Mahogany to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Jamaican Mahogany 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 well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Jamaican Mahogany 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.

Jamaican Mahogany 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.

Prune Jamaican Mahogany 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.

Jamaican Mahogany 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.

Jamaican Mahogany can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to trichilia guatemalensis plant care, which shares the same genus.

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Jamaican Mahogany 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.

Jamaican Mahogany grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Jamaican Mahogany is native to Colombia and Panama. In cooler regions, grow Jamaican Mahogany as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.