Sandalwood.

De un vistazo

Nivel de cuidados

Difícil

Tipo de planta

Evergreen tree

Luz

Full sun

Luz en interior

Sol directo

Riego

Cada 7 a 14 días

Tamaño adulto

30 to 50 feet

Ritmo de crecimiento

Lento

Rusticidad

USDA 10 a 12

Floración

Throughout the year

Cuidados

Provide plenty of direct sunlight and ensure the soil remains well drained to prevent root rot. Keep an eye out for yellowing leaves which may indicate poor drainage or a lack of a suitable host plant. It is essential to plant this near a host species for it to survive long term.

Riego

Water deeply when the top few inches of soil feel dry to the touch.

Abonado

Use a balanced slow release fertilizer during the active growing season.

Poda

Prune lightly in late winter to maintain shape and remove any dead branches.

Trasplante

Repot only when the tree has clearly outgrown its container and shows signs of being root bound.

Suelo

Well drained sandy or loamy soil

pH del suelo

6.0 to 7.5

Temperatura

15 a 35°C

Humedad

50 a 80%

Seguridad

Personas

The wood and oil are generally safe, but ingestion of plant parts is not recommended.

Niños

The berries are not edible and should be kept away from small children to prevent choking.

Alérgenos por contacto

Essential oil from the heartwood may cause skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Alérgenos en el aire

Pollen may trigger mild allergic reactions in some people.

Comestibilidad

The fruit is generally not consumed by humans and is not considered a food crop.

Cómo identificarla

• Opposite, leathery, oval shaped leaves
• Small, fragrant, reddish brown flowers
• Smooth, greyish brown bark
• Hemiparasitic root system

Altura

4 a 15m

Anchura

2 a 6m

Hojas

green, evergreen

Flores

yellow, red, purple, 0,5 a 1cm

Frutos

black, red, Year round

Problemas frecuentes

• Spike disease — A phytoplasma infection that causes stunted growth and leaf yellowing.

Cómo cultivarla

Propagación

seed, cuttings

Cuándo plantar

spring, summer

Always plant a compatible host tree within a few feet to ensure the sandalwood receives proper nutrition.

Buenas compañeras

• Acacia — Acts as a primary host plant for the sandalwood roots.
• Coastal she oak — Provides excellent host support for nutrient uptake.

Especies parecidas

• Pterocarpus santalinus — Often confused due to the name, though it is a different species.

Ciencia

Familia

Santalaceae

Género

Santalum

Orden

Santalales

Clase

Magnoliopsida

Distribución natural

Tropical regions of India, Indonesia, and northern Australia.

Conservación

This species is vulnerable in the wild due to overharvesting for its fragrant heartwood.

It survives by attaching its roots to the roots of other trees to extract water and nutrients.

Valor para la fauna

nectar source

Polinizadores

abejas, mariposas

Usos

fragrance production, medicinal oil, ornamental tree

Taxonomía cotejada con GBIF.

Lo que más preguntan

Can I grow sandalwood in a pot?

It is very difficult because it requires a host plant to survive.

How do I provide a host plant?

Plant it alongside a suitable host species like Acacia or Casuarina.

De dónde viene el nombre

The genus name Santalum comes from the Persian word for the wood, while album refers to the white color of the wood.

Bueno saberlo

• Sandalwood oil is one of the most valuable essential oils in the world.
• The tree must be at least 30 years old to produce high quality heartwood.
• It is a hemiparasite, meaning it steals nutrients from nearby host plants.
• The wood is traditionally used for carvings and incense.