Maytenus boaria, commonly known as the Mayten tree or Chilean mayten, is an evergreen species belonging to the Celastraceae family. Native to Chile and Argentina, this tree can reach heights of up to 15 meters. The Mayten tree features a dense canopy of glossy, oval-shaped green leaves with serrated edges, and its bark is smooth and grayish-brown.
In spring, the Mayten tree produces small yellow-green flowers, which are followed by small red berries that ripen in autumn. These berries are edible, though they have a bitter taste.
The Mayten tree is known for its medicinal properties, including anti-inflammatory effects that can aid in arthritis pain relief and digestive issues such as diarrhea or constipation.
This plant thrives in well-drained soil with full sun exposure but can tolerate partial shade. While it is drought-tolerant once established, it requires regular watering during its first few years of growth.
Overall, Maytenus boaria makes an excellent ornamental addition to any garden thanks to its attractive foliage and unique appearance, while also offering medicinal benefits for those who seek them.
The Mayten tree is resistant to disease 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 specimens typically do not require pruning. Smaller plants, however, should be pruned after they have finished blooming. The Mayten tree is well suited for anyone with outdoor space, such as a garden or deck, and does not require extensive gardening experience.
How to keep Maytenus Boaria.
Light
Mayten tree prefers locations with abundant sun exposure throughout the day. While it can tolerate areas where sunlight only partially reaches, constant sun is essential for its optimal health and growth. Its native habitat consists of regions with plentiful sunshine. However, too much sun can cause stunted growth, while too little can impede its development.
Water
Native to arid regions, the mayten tree thrives with minimal moisture, requiring watering only every 2-3 weeks. It's important to allow the soil to dry out between waterings. Its deep roots enable it to access moisture even during dry spells, making it an excellent choice for temperate climates and xeric landscapes that prioritize water conservation.
Temperature
The Mayten tree is native to areas where the climate maintains temperatures between 59 and 95 °F (15 to 35 ℃). It favors moderate temperatures, which allow it to tolerate relatively warm conditions. Measures like providing shade in summer may be appropriate to protect it from extreme heat.
Fertilizer
Fertilize your Mayten tree in early spring to promote healthy growth. Regular fertilization improves overall health, encouraging vigorous growth, greater resilience to harsh conditions, and enhanced resistance to diseases and pests. Maintain a specific fertilization schedule to ensure vibrant foliage with deep color and a lush appearance.
Pruning
The Mayten tree is characterized by its glossy, evergreen leaves and gracefully arching branches. To keep the tree healthy and well-shaped, prune it from early to late winter. Focus on removing dead wood and thinning out crowded areas. This process boosts the tree's vigor, promotes new growth, and helps maintain its desired shape. Be sure to use clean, sharp tools to prevent the spread of disease.
Botanical profile.
- Plant Type
- Tree, Shrub
- Life Cycle
- Perennial
- Genus
- Maytenus
- Family
- Celastraceae
- Hardiness Zone
- 7-10
- Mature Height
- 20.12 m
- Mature Spread
- 76 cm
- Leaf Color
- Green
- Leaf Type
- Evergreen
- Flower Color
- Green, White, Yellow
- Flower Size
- 0.15 cm to 0.25 cm
- Bloom Time
- Mid spring, Late spring
- Planting Time
- Spring, Winter, Summer, Autumn
- Harvest Time
- Mid summer, Late summer, Early fall
- Native Area
- Brazil, Bolivia
Other names.
Reader questions.
How should I water my Mayten tree?
Your Mayten tree is not very particular about how you water it, so you can use any common watering tool. Watering cans, hoses, and even cups will work just fine. Regardless of the tool you choose, make sure to water the soil directly. This ensures that all parts of the root system receive equal moisture. Using filtered water is helpful because tap water may contain harmful particles. It's also beneficial to use water that is at or slightly above room temperature, as colder or hotter water may shock the tree. However, the Mayten tree usually responds well to any kind of water you give it.
Why should I put fertilizer on my Mayten tree?
If you own a Mayten tree, it's important to regularly fertilize it for optimal health. Providing the right nutrients will promote robust growth and increase its resistance to challenging conditions, diseases, and pests. The foliage of your Mayten tree is a notable feature, so it's crucial to maintain it by following a specific fertilization schedule. This will result in vibrant, lush leaves with a rich color.
What are the sunlight requirements for Mayten tree?
The Mayten tree thrives in areas with generous sun exposure, requiring more than 6 hours of sunlight for optimal health and growth, indicative of full sun conditions. It can also adapt to partial sun, where it receives about 3-6 hours of sunlight. Despite its adaptability, uninterrupted sunlight is essential for its best growth, although too much sun can stunt growth and too little sunlight may hinder development. The tree's native habitat is characterized by abundant sunlight.
What temperature is best for a Mayten tree?
The Mayten tree thrives best in temperatures ranging from 65 to 80℉ (18 to 27℃). During its primary growing phase, it can tolerate temperatures up to 95℉ (35℃) but will not survive below 15℉ (-10℃). This species is resilient to freezing winters. The ideal temperature range is 65 to 80℉ (18 to 27℃), with the highest tolerable temperature being 85 to 95℉ (30 to 35℃), and the lowest being -5 to 15℉ (-20 to -10℃) or lower.
If I give my Mayten tree too much or too little water, what should I do?
Outdoor plants, especially newly planted ones or seedlings, are often prone to lack of watering. It is important to remember to water them enough for a few months until the tree is small or recently planted. Once the roots are established, Mayten trees can usually rely on rain for moisture. When Mayten trees are planted in pots, overwatering is more likely. If you accidentally overwater your Mayten tree, take immediate action to remedy the situation. Stop watering the plant right away to minimize the impact of overwatering. Then, remove the Mayten tree from its pot to examine its roots. If there are no signs of root rot, you can return the plant to its container. If you find any affected roots, trim them away and consider using a fungicide to prevent further damage. Lastly, repot the Mayten tree in well-draining soil. If your Mayten tree is underwatered, simply increase the frequency of watering. This is usually an easy fix, as the plant's leaves will droop, dry out, and fall off when underwatered. With sufficient watering, the leaves will quickly regain their fullness. It is important to correct your watering habits as soon as you notice signs of underwatering.
When should I fertilize my Mayten tree?
To give your Mayten tree the best chance for healthy growth, it is recommended to fertilize it in late winter or early spring. This provides the tree with essential nutrients needed for growth when the weather gets warmer. Additionally, if you live in a warm climate region, it is beneficial to give the tree another round of fertilizer in early fall. This will provide additional nutrients for the following growing season and help the tree withstand the winter cold without foliage damage. Fertilizing earlier in the fall is also important to allow enough time for new branches to grow and be resistant to the cold winter.
How does artificial lighting benefit indoor Mayten trees?
Indoor Mayten trees benefit significantly from artificial lighting, especially when natural sunlight is insufficient. Artificial lights, such as LEDs, can be customized to provide specific wavelengths needed by plants. For optimal growth, full sun plants require 30-50W/sq ft, partial sun plants need 20-30W/sq ft, and full shade plants should get 10-20W/sq ft of light. It's critical to place the light source 12-36 inches above the plant and provide 8-12 hours of light per day to mimic natural daylight conditions, ensuring healthier and faster growth.
Do I need to change the temperature for the Mayten tree as it grows?
According to research, the Mayten tree's growth can be negatively affected by extended periods of high temperatures, particularly during the development of axillary buds and the growth of main shoots. To promote healthy growth, it is recommended to maintain a consistent and cooler temperature of around 65℉ (18℃) after germination or transplanting.
How often do I need to water my Mayten tree?
If you have outdoor plants, they usually don't need extra watering if there is enough rainfall. But if your area doesn't get much rain, you should water your plants every 2 weeks in the spring and fall, more often in the summer, and less often in the winter. Young or newly planted Mayten trees need more frequent watering to help them grow. For potted plants, you can either have a set watering schedule, but this may not be enough if the conditions are different. Alternatively, you can check the soil moisture and wait until the top few inches are dry before watering again.
When is it not a good idea to put fertilizer on my Mayten tree?
To ensure proper care for your Mayten tree, avoid fertilizing it during certain times of the year. The first period is in early and mid-winter when the tree is dormant and does not require any nutrients. Similarly, it is not advisable to fertilize the tree during late spring and summer, as the weather during this time tends to be hotter and drier. These conditions can have a negative impact on the tree if it is fertilized. To prevent any issues, follow a fertilization schedule that involves feeding the tree only in early spring and early fall.
What are the signs of insufficient light in Mayten trees?
Mayten trees exhibit several symptoms when exposed to insufficient light, including smaller new leaves, leggy or sparse growth, faster leaf drop, slowed or halted new growth, lighter-colored new leaves, chlorosis, sunscald, leaf curling, wilting, and leaf scorching. These symptoms arise from the plant's struggle with poor lighting conditions, reflecting issues such as decreased chlorophyll production, increased susceptibility to damage, and reduced overall health.
How do I protect my Mayten tree from the cold during winter?
The Mayten tree can handle freezing temperatures when planted directly in the ground, as long as the lowest temperatures don't go below 15℉ (-10℃) during winter. However, if the tree is planted in pots or containers, it's important to protect the roots from the cold. This can be done by wrapping the container with a blanket or bringing it indoors to shield it from the winter weather.
