
Photo: Augustin SoulardCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Tinctoria Plant Care
Weinmannia tinctoria Sm.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant is easily recognizable by its glossy, dark green leaves with serrated edges. Hailing from New Zealand, Weinmannia tinctoria's unique foliage makes it a sought-after addition for plant collectors looking to add a touch of exotic beauty to their indoor jungle.
Every 7–14 days
Partial to full sun
60–80°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Tinctoria?
Plant Tinctoria in partial to full sun (USDA zones 10a–11b) and water a young tree every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C). Fertilize it every 8 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Tinctoria Native To?
- Algeria
- Angola
- Benin
- Botswana
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Côte d'Ivoire
- Djibouti
- DR Congo
- Egypt
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- Gabon
- Ghana
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Kenya
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mali
- Mauritania
- Mauritius
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Niger
- Nigeria
- Republic of the Congo
- Reunion
- Rwanda
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Senegal
- Sierra Leone
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Sudan
- Sudan
- Tanzania
- The Gambia
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
What Is the Tinctoria?
Tinctoria (Weinmannia tinctoria) belongs to the Cunoniaceae family within the Weinmannia genus. Tinctoria is native to Mauritius and Réunion off the east coast of Africa.
Tinctoria displays a tall, upright tree growth habit, reaching up to 30 ft tall with a spread of approximately 15 ft. Tinctoria produces small, inconspicuous flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Tinctoria?
Water a young or newly planted Tinctoria 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 Tinctoria Need?
Tinctoria thrives in partial to full sun.
Light Requirement
Partial to full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Tinctoria Prefer?
Weinmannia tinctoria tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Tinctoria prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Tinctoria?
Rich, well-draining soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Tinctoria to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Tinctoria?
Feed Tinctoria 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 Tinctoria?
Choose a spot with partial to full sun and rich, well-draining soil with high organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Tinctoria is suited to USDA Zone 10a – 11b.
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 Tinctoria?
Tinctoria 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 Tinctoria?
Prune Tinctoria 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 Tinctoria in Winter?
Tinctoria is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 10). 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 Tinctoria?
Tinctoria can be propagated through seeds, cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to apurimac shrub plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Tinctoria Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Tinctoria, 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 Tinctoria?
Tinctoria is susceptible to aphids, scale insects. 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 Tinctoria Need?
Tinctoria grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10a – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10a. Tinctoria is native to Mauritius and Réunion off the east coast of Africa. In cooler regions, grow Tinctoria as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 10a – 11b
Keep exploring plants
Tinctoria 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 Weinmannia genus — compare its care with other Weinmannia species on PlantoScan.
Weinmannia is part of the Cunoniaceae plant family — browse all Cunoniaceae genera and species.
Tinctoria thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Weinmannia Species
Other Weinmannia species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Weinmannia tinctoria Sm., family Cunoniaceae (first published in Cycl. 38: n.º 2 (1818)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Tinctoria, 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: Augustin Soulard, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 10a – 11b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- 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.
