Sandalwood.

At a glance

Care level

Difficult

Plant type

Evergreen tree

Light

Full sun

Indoor light

Direct sun

Water

Every 7 to 14 days

Mature size

30 to 50 feet

Growth rate

Slow

Hardiness

USDA 10 to 12

Bloom time

Throughout the year

Care

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.

Watering

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

Feeding

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

Pruning

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

Repotting

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

Soil

Well drained sandy or loamy soil

Soil pH

6.0 to 7.5

Temperature

15 to 35°C

Humidity

50 to 80%

Safety

People

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

Children

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

Contact allergens

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

Airborne allergens

Pollen may trigger mild allergic reactions in some people.

Edibility

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

How to identify it

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

Height

4 to 15m

Spread

2 to 6m

Leaves

green, evergreen

Flowers

yellow, red, purple, 0.5 to 1cm

Fruit

black, red, Year round

Problems to watch for

• Spike DiseaseCommon
• CankerUncommon
• ChlorosisUncommon
• Leaf SpotUncommon
• Root RotUncommon
• Scale InsectsUncommon

Growing it

Propagation

seed, cuttings

When to plant

spring, summer

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

Grows well with

• Acacia · Acts as a primary host plant for the sandalwood roots.
• She-oak · Provides excellent host support for nutrient uptake.

Similar species

• Red Sandalwood · Often confused due to the name, though it is a different species.

Science

Family

Santalaceae

Genus

Santalum

Order

Santalales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Tropical regions of India, Indonesia, and northern Australia.

Conservation

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.

Value to wildlife

nectar source

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Uses

fragrance production, medicinal oil, ornamental tree

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

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.

Where the name comes from

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

Good to know

• 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.