Spanish cedar
Cedrela odorata · Meliaceae
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around spanish cedar and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Family
- Meliaceae
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- Spring to summer, yellowish-white flowers
- Adult size
- 15 to 25 m in height
- Growth
- Fast to moderate
- Hardiness
- Tropical to subtropical (0 to 10°C minimum)
- Origin
- Central and South America
- Soil type
- Deep, well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral
Care
Light Exposure
Red mahogany requires a very sunny location, with full sun for at least 6 to 8 hours per day. In temperate zones, reserve it for cultivation in a heated greenhouse or bright conservatory. An exposure protected from strong winds is preferable for harmonious development.
Watering
During the growing season, keep the soil regularly moist but without excess: stagnant moisture promotes root rot. During winter rest or natural dry season, reduce watering. Irrigation should be gradual in spring when growth resumes.
Soil and Substrate
Favour a rich, deep and well-structured substrate, with added organic matter (compost, potting soil). Good drainage is essential to prevent root asphyxia. In pots, use a light and aerated mix, enriched with nutrients.
Fertiliser
Apply balanced or slightly potassium-enriched fertiliser during the growing period (spring-summer), every 15 to 20 days. Reduce or stop applications in winter. To encourage fine branching, prefer potassium-phosphorus formulas at the end of the season.
Pruning and Training
Perform light pruning in spring to remove dead or poorly oriented branches and encourage branching. When growing young plants, pinch the tips to obtain a bushy shape. Prune carefully to preserve the vigour of the tree.
Diseases and Pests
Watch for red spider mites in too-dry atmospheres and improve ambient humidity. Scale insects can infest young shoots: treat with soapy water spray. Avoid excessive moisture at night to prevent fungal diseases.
Did you know?
Red mahogany has been the wood of choice par excellence in European and American cabinet-making for centuries, particularly sought after for its rich colour and remarkable resistance. Beyond timber, the species naturally produces aromatic compounds that earned it its scientific name 'odorata' and was long used in traditional perfumery.
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.
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.