Is this plant safe for pets?

No, it is toxic to animals and humans alike.

Can I grow it in a pot?

Yes, but it requires a very large container and excellent drainage.

Plant guide

Sodom Apple.

Calotropis procera

Pronounced ka-LOT-ro-pis pro-SEER-uh

Also known as Apple of Sodom, French-cotton, Liberty Tree, Mudar, Prince-of-Wales crown, Roostertree, Seto / Gedla Akonda, Sodom's-milkweed

giant milkweed — Photo by Jorge Armín Escalante-Pasos (CC BY) via iNaturalist

The Sodom Apple is a hardy shrub known for its unique, inflated fruit and milky sap. It thrives in arid environments and is quite resilient once established. You will find it produces clusters of star shaped flowers throughout the year.

Another photo of Sodom Apple — Photo by Richard Jacob (CC BY) via gbif

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Shrub
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 10 to 20 days
Mature size: 3 to 5 meters
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 10 to 12
Bloom time: Year round in warm climates

Care

This plant prefers full sun and well draining soil to prevent root rot. Watch for yellowing leaves which may indicate overwatering or poor drainage. Handle with care due to the irritating sap.

Watering: Allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings.
Feeding: Apply a balanced fertilizer sparingly during the growing season.
Pruning: Trim back occasionally to maintain shape and remove dead branches.
Repotting: Repot only when the plant becomes root bound in its container.
Soil: Sandy or rocky, well draining
Soil pH: 6.0 to 8.5
Temperature: 5 to 45°C
Humidity: 10 to 50%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years
Fragrance: Light
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of drainage holes
Stunted growth despite proper care

Safety

People: All parts of the plant are toxic if ingested and the sap can cause severe eye irritation.
Pets: The milky sap is highly toxic to cats and dogs if ingested or if it contacts their skin.
Children: Keep children away from this plant as the toxic sap and irritating hairs pose a significant risk.
Contact allergens: The milky latex sap is a potent skin irritant and can cause blistering.
Airborne allergens: The fine hairs on the seeds can cause irritation if inhaled.
Edibility: The plant contains cardiac glycosides and is considered toxic if ingested.

How to identify it

Large, thick, waxy gray green leaves
Inflated, apple shaped green fruit
Star shaped white and purple flowers
Milky white sap in stems
Soft, corky bark texture

Height: 2 to 5m
Spread: 1.5 to 3m
Leaves: gray-green, evergreen
Flowers: white, purple, 2 to 3cm
Fruit: green, yellow, Year round

Problems to watch for

AphidsCommon
Milkweed BugsCommon
Root RotUncommon
Sooty MoldUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed, cuttings
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: Move to a frost free location if temperatures drop below freezing. Keep the soil on the drier side during the winter months.
In containers: It grows well in large containers, but ensure the pot is at least 40 liters to accommodate its root system.

Seed

1. Collect mature pods.
2. Sow seeds in sandy, well draining soil.
3. Keep warm and lightly moist until germination.

Plant in areas with full sun and well draining soil to mimic its natural arid habitat.

Grows well with

Desert Rose · They share similar water and light requirements.

Similar species

Giant Milkweed · It is a closely related species with larger, more intense purple flowers.

Science

Family: Apocynaceae
Genus: Calotropis
Order: Gentianales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Northern Africa, Western Asia, and the Indian subcontinent.
Conservation: Not of conservation concern, often considered an invasive weed in some regions.

It is a pioneer species that colonizes disturbed, arid, and saline environments.

Value to wildlife: larval host plant, nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: ornamental, fiber production, traditional medicine

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Soil reaction: 7/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 8/9
Nutrients: 2/9
Salinity: 6/9
Moisture: 2/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is this plant safe for pets?: No, it is toxic to animals and humans alike.
Can I grow it in a pot?: Yes, but it requires a very large container and excellent drainage.

Where the name comes from

The name Calotropis comes from the Greek words for beautiful and keel, referring to the flower shape.

Good to know

The stems produce a strong fiber used for making ropes.
It is commonly known as the Sodom apple.
The plant is highly drought tolerant.
It thrives in poor, sandy soils.

Also in

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.