PlantFun
Plant Needs
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade; tolerates brief periods of shade but produces denser foliage in full sun
Watering
Water deeply when the top 5 cm of soil dries out; avoid overwatering to prevent root rot
Temperature
Thrives in warm temperate to tropical climates; tolerates light frost but may drop leaves during prolonged cold spells
Characteristics
- Leaf: Broad, ovate to heart-shaped, 10–20 cm long, rough upper surface, fuzzy pale green underside
- Flower: Dioecious; male catkins are yellow-green pendulous clusters, female inflorescences are rounded green heads
- Stem: Slender light brown bark with subtle raised lenticels
Care Guide
Watering
Keep soil consistently moist during active growth periods
Fertilization
Feed monthly with balanced organic fertilizer. Avoid over-fertilizing to prevent excessive foliage growth at the expense of flowering
Composted banana peel tea：Steep fully composted banana peels in water for 3 days; dilute the mixture 1:20 before applying as a root drench to avoid nutrient burnPruning
- Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches in late winter to improve airflow and structure
- Trim back overgrown stems in early spring to maintain desired height and shape
- Prune suckers emerging from the base to prevent overcrowding and maintain a tidy form
Toxicity
Warning: this plant may be toxic.
Pets & Humans
Pets: ASPCA: Non-toxic to cats
Humans: No known toxicity to humans
Garden Uses & Culture
Culture: N/A
Usage: Traditional fiber source for handmade paper production; ornamental shade tree for gardens
