Cartrema americana (Cartrema americana)

Also known as: American Fringe-tree, Grancy Graybeard

The shrub you're looking for is the American olive (Cartrema americana). This hardy plant thrives in the understory of southeastern US forests, featuring glossy, elliptical leaves on slender, gray-barked branches. It blooms with fragrant white flowers in the spring, attracting pollinators, and later produces olive-like drupes that provide nourishment for local wildlife. Its resilience against disease ensures it remains a steadfast component of its native habitat.

In This Article

Care Tips Water Sunlight Temperature Soil Fertilize Prune Propagation Repotting

Attributes of Cartrema americana

Lifespan

Perennial

Plant Type

Tree

Plant Height

4.5 m to 8 m

Spread

3 m to 4.5 m

Leaf Color

Dark green

Flower Size

1 to 1.5 inches (2.5 to 3.8 cm)

Flower Color

White

Images of Cartrema americana

Quickly Identify Cartrema americana

Leathery leaves with rust-hued underside, 2-4.5 inches (5-11.5 cm) long.

Small, urn-shaped white flowers on previous year's growth, blooming in spring.

Dark blue drupes, olive-like, maturing in fall, essential wildlife food source.

Gray-brown bark with warty lenticels, moderately thick, no deep fissures.

Modestly-sized evergreen plant, 15-20 feet (4.6-6 meters) high, slender tree or shrub.

Scientific Classification of Cartrema americana

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Lamiales

Family

Olive

Genus

Cartrema

Species

Cartrema americana

Planting and Growing of Cartrema americana

Care Difficulty

Moderate

Watering Schedule

Every 4 days

Sunlight Requirements

Full sun

Sunshine Duration

6-10 hours

Ideal Temperature

60-80℉

Soil Type

Potting Mix, Peat Mix

Soil pH

6.5-7.5

Fertilizer Type

Balanced

Pruning Season

Spring, Summer

Pruning Area

Branches, Leaves

Pruning Frequency

2 times a year

Repotting Season

Spring

Pot Type

Plastic, Terracotta

How to Water Cartrema americana?

When watering Cartrema americana, ensure the soil is evenly moist but not waterlogged. A general rule of thumb is to provide around 500 milliliters of water, allowing the excess to drain, so the roots are not sitting in standing water and can breathe.

What are the symptoms of an underwatered Cartrema americana? ›

What should I do if my Cartrema americana is not getting enough water? ›

What are the symptoms of an overwatered Cartrema americana? ›

How to save an overwatered Cartrema americana? ›

What Are the Sunlight Requirements for Cartrema americana?

Sunlight Requirements: Full sun, Partial sun

Duration of light: 6-8 hours daily

Cartrema americana prefers full to partial sun, ideally receiving around 6-8 hours of sunlight daily. Adequate light encourages robust growth, lush foliage, and vibrant blooms, optimizing its overall health and aesthetics.

What is the ideal location for Cartrema americana? ›

How to ensure optimal light for Cartrema americana indoors? ›

What are the benefits of providing ideal light conditions for Cartrema americana? ›

What Is the Ideal Temperature Range for Cartrema americana?

Ideal Temperature: 60 ~ 80℉

For optimal growth of Cartrema americana, maintaining a temperature range between 60°F and 80°F is essential. This range provides a suitable environment for metabolic processes and proper photosynthesis, ensuring that the plant can thrive and produce lush foliage. By keeping the environment within these temperatures, the plant is less likely to experience stress that can affect its growth and development.

What Soil is Best for Cartrema americana?

Soil type: Loam, Sandy loam

Soil PH: 6.5 ~ 7.5

Cartrema americana thrives in well-drained soils that prevent water stagnation, reducing root rot risk and promoting healthy root development. The plant benefits from nutrient-rich soil which supports vigorous growth, lush foliage, and optimal blooming patterns. It requires moderate moisture retention to ensure consistent hydration without waterlogging, which aids in sustaining its physiological functions efficiently.

How to Fertilize Cartrema americana?

Fertilizer type: Balanced

For Cartrema americana, use 1/2 to 3/4 cup of a balanced 10-10-10 fertilizer per application. Adjust the amount based on the size and age of the plant. Ensure the soil is moist before application to avoid root burn.

How to Prune Cartrema americana?

Pruning Time: Spring, Autumn

Start by examining the plant for any dead, damaged, or diseased branches. These should be removed first to prevent the spread of disease and encourage healthy growth. If the plant becomes too dense, selectively remove some interior branches to improve air circulation, which can help prevent fungal issues and allow for more sunlight to penetrate. Trim the outer branches to maintain the desired shape of your Cartrema americana. This can help create a balanced look and encourage more uniform growth. More About Pruning Techniques→

How to Propagate Cartrema americana plant?

Propagate Time: Spring, Early summer

Start by soaking the seeds of Cartrema americana in warm water for 24 hours to soften the seed coat. This improves germination rates by allowing moisture to penetrate the seed more effectively.

Choose a healthy branch and use clean secateurs to cut a 6-8 inch segment. Remove the lower leaves to reduce moisture loss and dip the cut end in rooting hormone to promote root growth.

For both seeds and cuttings, fill containers with a well-draining potting mix. Plant the seeds just under the soil surface and insert the cuttings deep enough to stand upright. Water lightly and ensure they receive indirect sunlight.

More About Propagating Techniques→

How to Repot Cartrema americana plant?

Repotting frequency: Every 2-3 years

Cartrema americana shows signs of needing a repot when roots start pushing out from the drainage holes or when the plant appears root-bound. Besides that, slow growth can also indicate a need for more space. Spring and early Summer are ideal times, as the plant enters an active growth phase which helps it recover quickly from the stress of repotting.

When selecting a pot, opt for one that is at least one size larger than the current one. Ensure the pot has adequate drainage holes to prevent root rot. Terra cotta pots are often ideal due to their porous nature, which helps the soil to dry out faster and prevent waterlogging. This is crucial for Cartrema americana which prefers its roots to dry between waterings.

Choose a well-draining, organic-rich soil mix, ideally containing materials such as perlite or coarse sand to improve aeration. This type of soil structure ensures that excess water can escape easily, reducing the risk of root rot while supporting robust root formation by allowing essential air pockets.