Life Span
Perennial
Annual
Origin
India, China
Southern Africa
Types
Bead tree
Carissa bispinosa, Carissa carandas
Habitat
Forest margins, Roadsides
Coastal Regions, Tropical regions
USDA Hardiness Zone
8-15
9-11
Sunset Zone
H1, H2, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
H2, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24
Habit
Oval or Rounded
Cushion/Mound-forming
Flower Color
Lavender
White
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
-
Fruit Color
Yellow
Light Red
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Dark Green
Dark Green
Leaf Color in Summer
Dark Green
Dark Green
Leaf Color in Fall
Dark Green
Dark Green
Leaf Color in Winter
Dark Green
Dark Green
Leaf Shape
Pinnate
Elliptic and Ovate
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Type of Soil
Clay, Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
The pH of Soil
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral
Soil Drainage
Average
Well drained
Bloom Time
Early Spring, Spring, Late Spring
Indeterminate
Tolerances
Cold climate, Drought, Pollution, Soil Compaction, Variety of soil types
Shade areas
Where to Plant?
Ground
Ground, Pot
How to Plant?
Rooted stem cutting, Seedlings, Stem Planting
Seedlings, Stem Planting, Vegetative Reproduction
Plant Maintenance
Low
Low
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Medium, Requires regular watering, Requires watering in the growing season, Water daily during growing season, Water less during winter
Average Water Needs, Do Not over Water, Never Over-water, Requires regular watering, Water daily during growing season, Water when top layer of soil becomes dry
In Summer
Ample Water
Lots of watering
In Spring
Less Watering
Moderate
In Winter
Less Watering
Average Water
Soil pH
Acidic, Neutral, Alkaline
Acidic, Neutral
Soil Type
Clay, Loam, Sand
Loam, Sand
Soil Drainage Capacity
Average
Well drained
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial shade
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Pruning
Prune if you want to improve plant shape, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts, Remove deadheads
Prune if you want to improve plant shape, Prune to control growth, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead leaves, Remove dead or diseased plant parts
Fertilizers
Fertilize every year, fertilize in growing season, Less fertilizing
fertilize in growing season, Nitrogen, Phosphorous, Potassium
Pests and Diseases
Insects, Red blotch
Insects, Red blotch, Scale, Spider mites, Thripes, Whiteflies
Plant Tolerance
Cold climate, Drought, Variety of soil types
Shade areas
Flower Petal Number
Single
Single
Foliage Texture
Coarse
Medium
Foliage Sheen
Glossy
Glossy
Attracts
Birds, Butterflies
Birds
Aesthetic Uses
Beautification, Landscape Designing, Showy Purposes
Beautification, Bonsai, Cottage Garden, Landscape Designing, Showy Purposes
Environmental Uses
Absorbs greenhouse gases, Absorbs huge amounts of CO2, Air purification, Amazing growth rate, Erosion control, Food for birds, Food for insects, Forms dense stands, Nesting sites for birds, No fertilizer, pesticides, or herbicides needed, Prevent Soil Erosion, Shadow Tree, Shelter for wildlife, Soil protection, soil stabilisation, Used to establish native woodland, Very little waste, Wildlife, Windbreak
Air purification, Food for insects, Prevent Soil Erosion
Part of Plant Used
Seeds, Stem, Tree trunks
Flowers, Fruits
Other Uses
Air freshner, Showy Purposes, Used as firewood, Used as Ornamental plant, Wood is used for making furniture, Wood is used for ship building, Wood is used fore making tools, Wood is used in construction, Wood log is used in making fences
Decoration Purposes, Showy Purposes, Used as Ornamental plant, Used for its medicinal properties
Used As Indoor Plant
No
Yes
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
Yes
Garden Design
Shade Trees
Bedding Plant, Container, Edging, Edible, Foundation, Groundcover, Hedges, Topiary, Bonsai, Espalier, Tropical
Botanical Name
MELIA azedarach
CARISSA macrocarpa
Common Name
Chinaberry Tree
Carissia
In Hindi
Chinaberry ट्री
Carissa
In German
Chinaberry -Baum
carissa
In French
Chinaberry Arbre
carissa
In Spanish
Chinaberry Arbre
carissa
In Greek
chinaberry Δέντρο
carissa
In Portuguese
azederaque
carissa
In Polish
azederaque
carissa
In Latin
Chinaberry ligno
carissa
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
Magnoliophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Magnoliopsida
Order
Sapindales
Gentianales
Family
Meliaceae
Apocynaceae
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
Angiosperms, Asterids, Eudicots
Subfamily
Meloideae
Rauvolfioideae