Sandbox tree
Hura crepitans · Euphorbiaceae
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around sandbox tree and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Common name
- Dynamite tree
- Family
- Euphorbiaceae
- Form
- Tree
- Adult size
- 30 to 40 m in height
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Growth
- Fast
- Hardiness
- Tropical (12 °C minimum)
- Origin
- Amazon and Central America
Care
Light
Install this tree in full sun for optimal growth. A warm, open location promotes generous branching and fruiting. Protect it from strong winds that could damage its tender foliage.
Watering
Water regularly during the growing season, keeping the soil moist without waterlogging. Reduce watering during the dry season or winter. Let the soil dry out slightly between waterings to prevent root rot.
Soil
Prefer well-drained soil, rich in organic matter and slightly acidic. A potting mix enriched with compost or bark works perfectly. Ensure good drainage in pots to prevent root asphyxiation.
Fertilizing
Apply balanced fertilizer during the growing period (spring-summer), every 15 to 20 days. Reduce or stop feeding in autumn-winter. Adding organic matter (compost) in spring strengthens overall vitality.
Pruning
Prune lightly in spring to maintain a harmonious shape and open up the canopy. Remove dead or diseased branches. In temperate climates, formative pruning of young plants promotes a sturdy structure.
Disease prevention
Watch for scale insects and spider mites, common in hot, dry climates. Improve ventilation and humidity to limit attacks. Preventive treatment with black soap if infestation appears limits damage without harming the environment.
Did you know?
This tree owes its spectacular nickname to the phenomenon of its fruits, which explode by forcefully releasing their seeds, projecting the seedlings several meters away — a remarkable seed dispersal strategy. Amazonian peoples traditionally used its resins for various applications, although the sap is irritating to the skin.
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
- Wood spurgeEuphorbia amygdaloides
- Caper spurgeEuphorbia lathyris
- Albanian spurgeEuphorbia characias
- Spiny spurgeEuphorbia spinosa
- Garden crotonCodiaeum variegatum
- Griffith's spurgeEuphorbia griffithii
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.