Cannonball Mangrove Plant Care

Cannonball Mangrove (Xylocarpus rumphii) belongs to the Meliaceae family within the Xylocarpus genus. Cannonball Mangrove is native to coastlines of Madagascar, southeast Asia, Queensland, and the southwestern Pacific islands. Cannonball Mangrove is also known as Pila, Darang.

Cannonball Mangrove displays a tall, evergreen tree growth habit, reaching up to 60 ft tall with a spread of approximately 30 ft. Cannonball Mangrove produces small, fragrant white flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Cannonball Mangrove 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.

Cannonball Mangrove thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Xylocarpus rumphii tolerates temperatures of 65–85°F. Cannonball Mangrove prefers humidity levels of 50–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Well-draining loamy soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Cannonball Mangrove to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Cannonball Mangrove 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 high organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Cannonball Mangrove is suited to USDA Zone 10b – 12b.

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.

Cannonball Mangrove 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.

Prune Cannonball Mangrove 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.

Cannonball Mangrove 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.

Cannonball Mangrove can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to cannonball mangrove plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Cannonball Mangrove is susceptible to scale insects, caterpillars. 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.

Cannonball Mangrove grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10b – 12b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10b. Cannonball Mangrove is native to coastlines of Madagascar, southeast Asia, Queensland, and the southwestern Pacific islands. In cooler regions, grow Cannonball Mangrove as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.