About
Carmona is a genus of evergreen shrubs that thrive in subtropical climates. These fast-growing plants feature robust, textured trunks that are greyish-brown in color, and their dark green, lobed leaves have a glossy finish. In their native environment, they can grow to about 3 meters tall. Throughout the year, Carmona produces small, fragrant white flowers that give way to tiny fruits, which can be green, red, or black. Due to their compact size and unique characteristics, these plants are often cultivated as bonsai indoors.
Growing conditions
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained
- Aspect
- East-facing, South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H1C
Plant details
- Plant type
- Shrubs
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Height
- 1.5-2.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.1-0.5 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Architectural, Houseplants
- Fragrance
- Flower
Care notes
- Cultivation
- Grow indoors in a bright, sheltered location in slightly acidic, free-draining, bonsai compost. You can make your own bonsai compost with peat-free compost, sharp sand or grit, peat-free John Innes 3 and slow-release fertiliser. Water when required. See bonsai cultivation for further advice
- Pruning
- Prune regularly to encourage dense growth
- Propagation
- Propagate by seeds or cuttings in summer
- Pest resistance
- May be susceptible to red spider mite, scale insects and glasshouse whitefly
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease free, but may be susceptible to fungal diseases