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Caducous Virola Plant Care
Virola caducifolia W.A.Rodrigues
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Virola caducifolia, also known as the Brown Woolly Matá, is a tropical tree with distinctive large leaves that are glossy and dark green in color. It is popular among plant enthusiasts for its unique growth habit, as it can reach up to 30 meters in height.
Every 7–14 days
Partial to full shade
65–85°F
60–80%
At a glance
How do you care for Caducous Virola?
Plant Caducous Virola in partial to full shade (USDA zones 13b) and water a young tree every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 65–85°F (18–29°C). Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season.
What Is the Caducous Virola?
Caducous Virola (Virola caducifolia) belongs to the Myristicaceae family within the Virola genus. Caducous Virola is native to Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador.
Caducous Virola displays a tall canopy tree growth habit, reaching up to 60 ft tall with a spread of approximately 30 ft. Caducous Virola produces small, inconspicuous flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Caducous Virola?
Water a young or newly planted Caducous Virola 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 Caducous Virola Need?
Caducous Virola thrives in partial to full shade. The optimal light range is 100–500 lux. Avoid placing Caducous Virola in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Partial to full shade
100–500 lux
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Caducous Virola Prefer?
Virola caducifolia tolerates temperatures of 65–85°F. Caducous Virola prefers humidity levels of 60–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
65–85°F
Humidity
60–80%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Caducous Virola?
Rich, well-draining soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Caducous Virola to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Caducous Virola?
Feed Caducous Virola every 8 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 8 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 Caducous Virola?
Choose a spot with partial to full shade and rich, well-draining soil with high organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Caducous Virola is suited to USDA Zone 13b.
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 Caducous Virola?
Caducous Virola can spread to about 30 ft (9.1 m) and reach about 60 ft (18 m) tall. Space plants about 30 ft (9.1 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 Caducous Virola?
Prune Caducous Virola 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 Caducous Virola in Winter?
Caducous Virola 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 Caducous Virola?
Caducous Virola can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to virola plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Caducous Virola Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Caducous Virola, 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 Caducous Virola?
Caducous Virola is susceptible to scale insects, mealybugs, 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Caducous Virola Need?
Caducous Virola grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Caducous Virola is native to Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador. In cooler regions, grow Caducous Virola as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
Caducous Virola 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 Virola genus — compare its care with other Virola species on PlantoScan.
Virola is part of the Myristicaceae plant family — browse all Myristicaceae genera and species.
Caducous Virola copes with lower light than most plants — browse the full list of low-light plants.
More Virola Species
Other Virola species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Virola caducifolia W.A.Rodrigues, family Myristicaceae (first published in Acta Amazonica 7: 459 (1977)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Caducous Virola, 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.
- Photo: AI-generated illustration (labelled on the image).
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13b, 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.
