Silk plant
Araujia sericifera · Apocynaceae
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around silk plant and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Common name
- Kapok, Araujia
- Family
- Apocynaceae
- Type
- Perennial climbing plant
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Flowering
- Summer (July to September)
- Mature size
- Up to 6-8 m in height
- Growth
- Fast
- Hardiness
- Moderate (0 to -5 °C)
- Origin
- South America (Brazil, Paraguay)
Care
Exposure and light
Araujia sericifera thrives in full sun to partial shade. It appreciates at least 4 to 5 hours of direct sunlight daily for generous flowering. In very hot regions, light afternoon shade can be beneficial.
Watering
Water regularly during the growing period (spring-summer), keeping the soil moist but not waterlogged. Reduce watering in autumn-winter. Once established, this plant tolerates drought well, but flowers better with moderate and consistent watering.
Soil and drainage
Rich, well-draining and slightly fertile soil is ideal. Enrich the planting base with compost or potting soil. Absolutely avoid waterlogging, which promotes root rot.
Pruning and training
Prune after flowering to control shape and encourage branching. Guide stems onto a support (trellis, pergola) from a young age. Remove dead wood or tangled branches to air out the plant.
Fertilizing
Apply balanced or potassium-rich fertilizer once or twice a month during the growing season (April to September). Stop feeding in winter. Excess nitrogen promotes foliage at the expense of flowering.
Pests and diseases
The plant is generally robust, but can be affected by mealybugs or spider mites during prolonged drought. Watch for powdery mildew in humid and stagnant conditions. Inspect regularly and intervene quickly if necessary.
Did you know?
Araujia sericifera produces distinctive fleshy pod-shaped fruits containing seeds with silky white hairs. These filaments resemble plant kapok, hence its nickname 'Kapok'. Once, there was even consideration of exploiting these fibers industrially, though the project was never commercialized on a large scale.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.