Does it need pruning?

It rarely needs pruning, but you can shape it after flowering if you like.

Can it grow in full shade?

It prefers full sun but will tolerate light shade, though it may bloom less.

Plant guide

Indian hawthorn.

Rhaphiolepis indica

Pronounced raf-ee-oh-LEP-iss IN-dih-kuh

Also known as Hong Kong Hawthorn, India-hawthorn, Indian Hawthorn, Indian-hawthorn, Sexton's Bride, Yedda hawthorn

Rhaphiolepis indica — Photo by Toby Y (CC BY) via gbif

Indian hawthorn is a lovely evergreen shrub known for its clusters of pink or white flowers. It thrives in mild climates and makes a great hedge or foundation plant. You will love how its leathery foliage stays green all year round.

Another photo of Indian hawthorn — Photo by Paul Bell-Butler (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Evergreen shrub
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 7 to 14 days
Mature size: 5 to 6 feet tall
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 8 to 11
Bloom time: Late winter to mid spring

Care

Plant this shrub in a spot with good drainage to keep the roots happy. Watch for leaf spots if the air stays too humid for long periods. Prune lightly after the main bloom cycle to keep the shape tidy.

Watering: Water deeply once the top few inches of soil feel dry to the touch.
Feeding: Apply a balanced slow release fertilizer in early spring to support new growth.
Pruning: Trim back branches immediately after flowering to encourage a bushier shape.
Repotting: Move to a slightly larger container only when the roots start circling the bottom.
Soil: Well draining loamy soil
Soil pH: Slightly acidic to neutral
Temperature: -7 to 35°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: High
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 15 to 25 years.
Fragrance: Light
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes.
Water sitting on the surface for too long.
Stunted growth during the active season.

Safety

People: The plant is generally considered non-toxic to humans.
Children: The berries are not poisonous, but they can be a choking hazard for very small children.
Contact allergens: None notable.
Airborne allergens: The pollen may cause mild reactions in sensitive individuals during the spring bloom.
Edibility: The fruit is technically edible but generally considered bland and not worth consuming.

How to identify it

Leathery dark green oval leaves
Clusters of fragrant pink flowers
Small dark blue or black berries
Rounded dense shrub growth habit

Height: 0.9 to 1.8m
Spread: 0.9 to 1.8m
Leaves: dark green, bronze-tinted, evergreen
Flowers: white, pink, 1 to 2cm
Fruit: dark purple, black, Late summer to autumn

Problems to watch for

Entomosporium leaf spot · Fungal spots appear on leaves, often caused by poor air circulation or overhead watering.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

Check your indian hawthorn from a photo

Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your plant and tells you what's wrong and what to try first.

Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, seed
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: In colder regions, provide a layer of mulch around the base to protect the roots from deep freezes. If grown in a container, move it to a sheltered spot or an unheated garage during extreme cold snaps.
In containers: It grows well in large containers with excellent drainage, requiring a pot at least 40 centimeters wide.

Semi-hardwood cuttings

Take 10 centimeter cuttings in late summer.
Remove lower leaves and dip the base in rooting hormone.
Place in a well-draining mix and keep humid until rooted.

Pair with drought-tolerant perennials to maintain a low-maintenance, water-wise garden bed.

Grows well with

Daylily · They share similar sun and water requirements.
Lantana · This provides a nice contrast in texture and color.

Similar species

Rhaphiolepis umbellata · It has larger, thicker leaves and is even more salt-tolerant.

Science

Family: Rosaceae
Genus: Rhaphiolepis
Order: Rosales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Southern China and parts of Southeast Asia.
Conservation: Not of conservation concern.

It grows in scrubby, well-drained areas where its leathery leaves help it conserve water.

Value to wildlife: nectar source, provides cover for birds
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: hedging, foundation planting, coastal landscaping, container gardening

Through the year

JFMAMJJASOND

Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 5/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 7/9
Moisture: 4/9
Nutrients: 3/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need pruning?: It rarely needs pruning, but you can shape it after flowering if you like.
Can it grow in full shade?: It prefers full sun but will tolerate light shade, though it may bloom less.

Where the name comes from

The name Rhaphiolepis comes from Greek words meaning needle and scale, referring to the bracts beneath the flowers. Indica refers to its historical association with the East Indies.

Good to know

It is commonly called Indian Hawthorn despite not being a true hawthorn.
The plant is highly resistant to deer browsing.
It thrives in poor, rocky soils where other shrubs might struggle.

Also in

Keep your indian hawthorn growing

This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.

Get the app

This guide was generated with AI on November 6, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.