The western soapberry typically starts flowering in April.
western soapberry
Sapindus drummondii
Western Soapberry (Sapindus drummondii) is a medium-sized tree that grows up to 20 feet tall. It is native to central and southern parts of the United States, growing in regions with dry, hot summers and mild winters. The tree produces small, yellowish-white flowers followed by fruits with a yellow-brown tough outer shell. The seeds inside are a creamy white and have a distinctive soapy flavor. Fruit and seed are edible, or the leaves can be boiled into a tea. The tree is used for medicinal purposes and for dyeing fabrics with its yellowish-green dye. Western Soapberry is an important part of the local ecology, providing food and shelter for a variety of wildlife.
Cycle:
Perennial
Watering:
Minimum
Propagation:
Seed Propagation,Air Layering Propagation,Grafting Propagation,Cutting
Hardiness Zone:
6 - 9
Flowers:
Yellowish-white Flowers
Sun:
Full sun,part shade
Fruits:
red,yellow,orange Fruits Ready In Fall
Leaf:
Yes
Leaf Color:
green
Growth Rate:
Low
Maintenance:
Moderate
Drought Tolerant:
Yes
Salt Tolerant:
Yes
Thorny:
Yes
Care Level:
Medium
watering
Western soapberry requires moderate to high levels of moisture to thrive. It is best to water this plant regularly and deeply. During the growing season, you should water western soapberry about once a week. Make sure to water it well, as the soil should be moist but not soggy. When the temperature is higher, you may need to water the plant more often. In winter, water less frequently and infrequently – only when the top 1 to 2 inches of soil is dry. You may also need to water less in areas with high rainfall.
sunlight
Western soapberry (Sapindus drummondii) plants do best in full sunlight. They need at least 6 hours of direct sun exposure throughout the day. This means that the ideal situation for these plants is to be placed in an area that receives direct sunlight for the majority of the day, such as a south-facing window or a covered porch. Ideally, midday sun is optimal, as the sun is at its highest and warmest. However, any direct, direct sunlight should be sufficient. Western soapberry plants can easily endure the hot summer sun so long as they are provided with plenty of water and adequate drainage.
pruning
Western soapberry should be pruned during the late summer to early fall months. Pruning should be light, as Western soapberry responds best to minimal pruning. Prune off any damaged, diseased, or dead branches, as well as any dead or diseased leaves. Also, thin out any branches that are competing against each other and reduce the overall height by removing some of the oldest, largest branches near the top. Western soapberry benefits from selective pruning, as this encourages its vigor and growth.
Season
Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering
Harvest Fruit
Harvesting of Sapindus drummondii typically begins in July and continues through August.
