trefle.io · Taken Aug 15, 2021 by Pierre-Émile Grollimund (cc-by-sa)
Malvaceae
Portia tree
Thespesia populnea
Also known as Thespesia altissima, Thespesia populnea var. typica, Hibiscus baccifer, Seaside mahoe
Tropical Plants · Flowering Plants · Native Plants · Trees & Shrubs · Portia Tree · Tropical Tree · Coastal Plant · Salt Tolerant · Flowering Tree · Fast Growing · Medicinal · Landscape · Hibiscus Family · Seaside
The Portia tree is a fast-growing tropical coastal tree that tolerates salt spray, wind, and periods of dryness once established, making it excellent for seaside gardens. Plant in full sun to partial shade with well-draining sandy or loamy soil, and water regularly only until the tree is established. Its striking yellow hibiscus-like flowers and attractive foliage make it a rewarding low-maintenance landscape specimen.
Growing conditions
The details behind the basics
- Daily light
- 5 hours
- Watering
- Water deeply to saturate the root zone, then allow soil to dry moderately between waterings · Every 10-14 days
- Maintenance
- Low
- Soil
- loam
- Soil pH
- 6–7.5
- Temperature
- 50°F to 100°F
- Cycle
- Perennial
- Propagation
- Seed
Hardiness
USDA 10a-12b
Form & growth
Mature size and habit
- Mature height
- 20 ft – 40 ft
- Spread
- 20 ft
- Spacing
- 120 in apart
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Root depth
- Deep
- Flowers
- Mixed
- Foliage
- Green · Medium
Ecology & origin
Where it belongs and what it brings
- Native to
- Aldabra, Andaman Is., Aruba, Assam, Bahamas, Bangladesh, Belize, Benin, Bermuda, Bismarck Archipelago, Borneo, Brazil Northeast, Burkina, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Caroline Is., Cayman Is., China Southeast, Cocos (Keeling) Is.
- Attracts
- Bees, Butterflies, Hummingbirds
Sources: trefle
More Thespesia
Related plants from the same genus
Buy this plant
No nurseries currently list it
No nursery lists Portia tree right now.