Vachellia xanthophloea
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Vachellia xanthophloea

Fever Tree · Naivasha thorn

Tier 1 Difficulty: easy Water: low Light: full_sun
Temperature
20–37 °C
Soil pH
6–8
Hardiness
Zone 9–11
Click count
35
Observations
93

Description

Source: leafsnap

Vachellia xanthophloea is a tree in the family Fabaceae, commonly known in English as the fever tree. This species of Vachellia is native to eastern and southern Africa (Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Somalia, South Africa, Eswatini, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe). It has also become a landscape tree in other warm climates, outside of its natural range.

Care Guide

💧 Water

The fever tree thrives in savanna habitats by relying on efficient water use. It prefers drier conditions and demonstrates drought tolerance. To mimic natural precipitation, water the tree once a week. Typically grown outdoors, the fever tree responds vigorously to seasonal rains during its active growing season.

☀️ Light Full sun

Fever tree is native to open habitats, such as sunny meadows and forest edges, that provide abundant light. It performs best in Full Sun but can tolerate Partial Sun, adapting well to various sunlight conditions.

Ideal: Full sun
FAQ
What are the sunlight requirements for a Fever tree?

The Fever tree, botanically known as Vachellia xanthophloea, thrives under specific sunlight conditions. It requires 'Full sun' which means it should receive above 6 hours of sunlight daily. There's also the option for 'Partial sun' indicating about 3-6 hours of sunlight each day. It's essential to observe how sunlight moves through your garden, ensuring you pick a location that provides an ideal balance of light and shade catering to the needs of the Fever tree, promoting its health and happiness.

🌡️ Temperature 20–37.8°C

The fever tree comes from tropical regions, where the climate is generally warm and humid, so it is well adapted to high heat and humidity. It is sensitive to abrupt temperature changes and prefers a stable thermal environment, which means avoiding temperature fluctuations indoors is important. It typically cannot tolerate cold and needs relatively high temperatures to grow; if the ambient temperature falls too low, the plant may stop growing or even die.

Ideal temperature: 20–37.8°C
FAQ
What is the name of the tree?

The tree is commonly known as the Fever tree.

What is the botanical name of the Fever tree?

The botanical name of the Fever tree is Vachellia xanthophloea.

💨 Humidity
Humidity:
🪴 Soil 6-8
Soil pH: 6-8
🌱 Fertilizer

Fertilization is essential for the Fever tree's care. Regular feeding during the growing season keeps up the energy for its showy leaves and aids overall growth. Skipping fertilization can cause unhealthy foliage, reduced ornamental value, and stunted or weak growth that is prone to breaking.

🪴 Pot & Repot
✂️ Pruning

Fever trees benefit from being pruned early in the spring. Start by removing dead branches and shaping the tree to improve its overall structure. This not only enhances air circulation and light penetration but also reduces the risk of disease. Be careful to avoid heavy pruning, as this can stress the tree. Always use clean, sharp tools to encourage quick healing during the tree's growth cycle.

🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity

Characteristics

Plant Type
Tree
Life Cycle
Perennial
Genus
Vachellia
Family
Fabaceae
Hardiness Zone
9-11
Mature Height
14.94 m to 24.99 m
Mature Spread
10.06 m to 14.94 m
Leaf Color
Light Green
Leaf Type
Deciduous
Flower Color
Yellow
Flower Size
1.02 cm to 1.52 cm
Bloom Time
Late spring, Summer
Planting Time
Spring
Harvest Time
Late summer, Fall
Native Area
Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Eswatini, Kenya, Tanzania, Zimbabwe

Tags (5)

Common Names (2)

en Fever Tree
en Naivasha thorn