Macaranga gigantea — an easy houseplant, prefers partial sun light
SPECIMEN · FROM THE LIBRARY
Macaranga gigantea

Macaranga Gigantea

Updated · 9 observations
ON THIS PLANT

Macaranga gigantea is a pioneer tree species from western Indo-China and Malesia including Sulawesi.

A note from PlantMom

Macaranga gigantea has strong disease resistance and is generally not susceptible to illnesses. Regarding care, this plant is fairly low-maintenance. When grown outdoors it needs only light watering, and larger plants usually do not require pruning. Smaller plants, however, should be trimmed after they finish blooming. Macaranga giganteat is appropriate for anyone with an outdoor area, such as a garden or deck, and does not demand extensive care experience.

— PlantMom
CARE GUIDE

How to keep Macaranga Gigantea.

Light

Macaranga gigantea is native to habitats like forest understories or rocky areas, where it grows in natural shade. It prefers partial sun but can also adapt to full sun or full shade, demonstrating its versatile and hardy nature.

Temperature

Macaranga gigantea comes from tropical areas where the weather is usually warm and humid. Therefore it is adapted to high temperatures and humidity. It does not tolerate sudden temperature shifts and prefers a consistent thermal environment, so avoiding temperature fluctuations indoors is important. It generally cannot withstand cold conditions and needs warmer temperatures to grow. If the surrounding temperature falls too low, the plant may stop growing or even die.

Fertilizer

Fertilization is essential for caring for Macaranga gigantea. Regular feeding throughout the growing season supplies energy for its attractive foliage and aids overall growth. Failing to fertilize can lead to unhealthy leaves, reduced ornamental value, and stunted or weak growth that is prone to breakage.

Pruning

Macaranga gigantea is known for its large leaves and fast growth. To manage its size, it's important to prune in early spring. Start by removing any dead branches and thinning out overcrowded areas to allow more light to penetrate, which promotes healthy growth and reduces the risk of disease. Aim to keep pruning to a minimum, and use sharp, clean tools to help the plant recover quickly.

CHARACTERISTICS

Botanical profile.

Plant Type
Tree
Life Cycle
Perennial
Genus
Macaranga
Family
Euphorbiaceae
Hardiness Zone
10-12
Mature Height
14.94 m to 29.87 m
Mature Spread
7.92 m to 11.89 m
Leaf Color
Light Green, Forest Green
Leaf Type
Evergreen
Flower Size
0.20 cm to 0.25 cm
Bloom Time
Late spring, Summer, Early fall
Planting Time
Spring, Summer, Autumn
Harvest Time
Late summer, Fall
Native Area
Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, Brunei
PLATES
Macaranga gigantea leaf
PLATE 01 · leaf
Macaranga gigantea leaf
PLATE 02 · leaf
Macaranga gigantea flower
PLATE 03 · flower
Macaranga gigantea flower
PLATE 04 · flower
Macaranga gigantea bark
PLATE 05 · bark
ALSO IN THE LIBRARY

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