Portia tree.

At a glance

Care level

Moderate

Plant type

Evergreen tree

Light

Full sun

Indoor light

Direct sun

Water

Every 3 to 7 days

Mature size

30 to 40 feet

Growth rate

Fast

Hardiness

USDA 10 to 12

Bloom time

Year round in tropical climates

Care

Keep this tree in a spot with plenty of sunshine to encourage healthy growth. Watch for yellowing leaves which can indicate overwatering or poor drainage. It is quite salt tolerant, so it handles coastal breezes like a champ.

Watering

Water deeply whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.

Feeding

Apply a balanced fertilizer during the active growing season.

Pruning

Trim back branches once a year to maintain a desired shape or size.

Repotting

Move to a larger container once the roots begin to circle the bottom.

Soil

Well draining sandy or loamy soil

Soil pH

6.0 to 8.0

Temperature

10 to 35°C

Humidity

60 to 90%

Safety

People

The plant contains compounds that can be irritating if ingested or handled excessively.

Children

Keep children away from the seed pods as they can be a choking hazard.

Contact allergens

The sap may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Airborne allergens

Pollen may trigger mild allergic reactions in sensitive people.

Edibility

The plant is not considered edible and ingestion may cause gastrointestinal distress.

How to identify it

• Heart shaped glossy green leaves
• Bright yellow cup shaped flowers
• Flowers age to deep purple
• Round woody seed capsules
• Smooth greyish brown bark

Height

5 to 15m

Spread

3 to 8m

Leaves

green, evergreen

Flowers

yellow, maroon, 5 to 8cm

Fruit

brown, black, Year round

Problems to watch for

• AphidsCommon
• Leaf SpotCommon
• Scale InsectsUncommon
• Sooty MoldUncommon

Growing it

Propagation

seed, cuttings

When to plant

Spring, Summer, Autumn

Pair with other salt tolerant coastal plants to create a resilient windbreak.

Grows well with

• Sea Grape · They share similar coastal environmental requirements.
• Beach Morning Glory · This groundcover helps retain moisture at the base of the tree.

Similar species

• Hibiscus · They share the same family and similar flower structures.

Science

Family

Malvaceae

Genus

Thespesia

Order

Malvales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Tropical regions of the Old World, including Africa, Asia, and the Pacific Islands.

Conservation

Not currently threatened, but it is often managed in coastal areas to prevent erosion.

It is a pioneer species that stabilizes coastal dunes and withstands salt spray.

Value to wildlife

nectar source, shelter for coastal birds

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Uses

ornamental shade tree, coastal erosion control, woodworking, traditional medicine

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need full sun?

Yes, it grows best in full sun.

Can it grow in sand?

It is highly tolerant of sandy, saline soils.

Where the name comes from

Thespesia comes from the Greek word for divine, while populnea refers to the resemblance of its leaves to those of the poplar tree.

Good to know

• It is often called the Portia tree.
• The flowers change color from yellow to deep red as they age.
• It thrives in salty coastal environments.
• The seeds are buoyant and spread by ocean currents.