Yellowhorn Plant Care

Yellowhorn (Xanthoceras sorbifolium) belongs to the Sapindaceae family within the Xanthoceras genus. Yellowhorn is native to northern China in the provinces of Gansu, Hebei, Henan, Liaoning, Nei Monggol, Ningxia, Shaanxi, and Shandong. Yellowhorn is also known as Shiny-leaf Yellowhorn.

Yellowhorn displays a small deciduous tree growth habit, reaching up to 20 ft tall with a spread of approximately 15 ft. Yellowhorn produces showy white flowers with yellow centers.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Yellowhorn 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.

Yellowhorn thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Xanthoceras sorbifolium tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Yellowhorn prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

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

Feed Yellowhorn 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.

Yellowhorn is suited to USDA Zone 4a – 7b.

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.

Yellowhorn can spread to about 15 ft (4.6 m) and reach about 20 ft (6 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 Yellowhorn 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.

Yellowhorn is hardy down to USDA zone 4a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown trees need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Yellowhorn can be propagated through seeds, softwood cuttings.

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

Yellowhorn 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.

Yellowhorn grows outdoors in USDA Zone 4a – 7b. It survives winters down to planting zone 4a. Yellowhorn is native to northern China in the provinces of Gansu, Hebei, Henan, Liaoning, Nei Monggol, Ningxia, Shaanxi, and Shandong.