Sweet Wrightia Plant Care

Sweet Wrightia (Wrightia antidysenterica) belongs to the Apocynaceae family within the Wrightia genus. Sweet Wrightia is native to Sri Lanka. Sweet Wrightia is also known as Tellicherry Bark, Lanka, Pala indigo.

Sweet Wrightia displays a small tree or shrub growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Sweet Wrightia produces fragrant star-shaped white flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Sweet Wrightia every 7–10 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.

Sweet Wrightia thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Sweet Wrightia in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Wrightia antidysenterica tolerates temperatures of 65–80°F. Sweet Wrightia prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Well-draining sandy loam with added perlite for extra drainage. Good drainage is essential for Sweet Wrightia to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Sweet Wrightia 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 bright indirect light and well-draining sandy loam with added perlite for extra drainage. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Sweet Wrightia 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.

Sweet Wrightia can spread to about 4 ft (1.2 m) and reach about 6 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 4 ft (1.2 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 Sweet Wrightia 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.

Sweet Wrightia 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.

Sweet Wrightia can be propagated through stem cuttings, air layering, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to wild water plum plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Sweet Wrightia 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.

Sweet Wrightia grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Sweet Wrightia is native to Sri Lanka. In cooler regions, grow Sweet Wrightia as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.