Life Span
Perennial
  
Perennial
  
Type
Tree
  
Tree
  
Origin
Southeastern United States, Mexico, Caribbean, Central America
  
China, Korea
  
Types
Not Available
  
Not Available
  
Habitat
Dry Forest, Lowland
  
disturbed sites, Forest edges
  
USDA Hardiness Zone
10-15
  
4-8
  
AHS Heat Zone
12-10
  
8-1
  
Sunset Zone
H1, H2
  
2a, 2b, 3a, 3b, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17
  
Habit
Oval or Rounded
  
Spreading
  
Plant Size
  
  
Minimum Height
1,220.00 cm
  
33
Minimum Width
1,220.00 cm
  
14
Plant Color
  
  
Flower Color
Purple, Violet, Blue Violet
  
White, Light Yellow, Ivory
  
Flower Color Modifier
Bicolor
  
Bicolor
  
Fruit Color
Yellow, Red
  
Light Green, Chartreuse
  
Leaf Color in Spring
Green, Olive
  
Green, Gray Green
  
Leaf Color in Summer
Green, Dark Green
  
Gray Green, Dark Green
  
Leaf Color in Fall
Green, Olive
  
Yellow, Gold, Tan
  
Leaf Color in Winter
Olive
  
Not Available
  
Shape
  
  
Leaf Shape
Pinnate
  
Lobed
  
Thorns
No
  
Yes
  
Plant Season
Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter
  
Spring, Summer, Fall
  
Growing Conditions
  
  
Sunlight
Full Sun, Partial Sun
  
Full Sun
  
Growth Rate
Very Slow
  
Slow
  
Type of Soil
Loam, Sand
  
Clay, Loam
  
The pH of Soil
Neutral, Alkaline
  
Acidic, Neutral
  
Soil Drainage
Well drained
  
Well drained
  
Bloom Time
Early Spring, Spring, Late Winter, Indeterminate
  
Late Spring, Early Summer
  
Repeat Bloomer
Yes
  
No
  
Tolerances
Drought, Salt, Variety of soil types
  
Drought
  
Where to Plant?
Ground
  
Ground
  
How to Plant?
Seedlings
  
Seedlings, Stem Planting
  
Plant Maintenance
Low
  
Low
  
Watering Plants
  
  
Watering Requirements
Average Water Needs, Keep the ground moist but not water-logged, Requires regular watering
  
Do Not over Water, Medium, Requires watering in the growing season
  
In Summer
Lots of watering
  
Adequately
  
In Spring
Moderate
  
Moderate
  
In Winter
Average Water
  
Average Water
  
Soil
  
  
Soil pH
Neutral, Alkaline
  
Acidic, Neutral
  
Soil Type
Loam, Sand
  
Clay, Loam
  
Soil Drainage Capacity
Well drained
  
Well drained
  
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun
  
Full Sun
  
Pruning
Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
  
Prune in fall, Remove damaged leaves, Remove dead branches, Remove dead leaves
  
Fertilizers
All-Purpose Liquid Fertilizer, slow-release fertilizers
  
Nitrogen, Potassium
  
Pests and Diseases
Pests and diseases free, Red blotch
  
Beetles, Leafhoppers
  
Plant Tolerance
Drought, Salt, Variety of soil types
  
Drought
  
Flowers
Showy
  
Showy
  
Flower Petal Number
Single
  
Not Available
  
Fruits
  
  
Showy Fruit
Yes
  
Yes
  
Edible Fruit
No
  
Yes
  
Fragrance
  
  
Fragrant Flower
No
  
Yes
  
Fragrant Fruit
No
  
No
  
Fragrant Leaf
No
  
No
  
Fragrant Bark/Stem
No
  
No
  
Showy Foliage
Yes
  
Yes
  
Showy Bark
Not Available
  
Yes
  
Foliage Texture
Fine
  
Coarse
  
Foliage Sheen
Glossy
  
Glossy
  
Evergreen
No
  
No
  
Invasive
No
  
No
  
Self-Sowing
Yes
  
Yes
  
Attracts
Birds, Butterflies
  
Not Available
  
Allergy
Skin irritation
  
Mild Allergen
  
Uses
  
  
Aesthetic Uses
Beautification, Cottage Garden, Ground Cover
  
Not Used For Aesthetic Purpose
  
Beauty Benefits
Blood purifying
  
Not Available
  
Edible Uses
No
  
Yes
  
Environmental Uses
Food for birds, Shadow Tree
  
Air purification, Food for animals, Food for birds, Food for insects, Nesting sites for birds, Prevent Soil Erosion
  
Plant Benefits
  
  
Medicinal Uses
anti-inflammatory, Gout, Rheumatism, Sore throat
  
Low calories, Nutrients
  
Part of Plant Used
Fruits, Seeds, Wood
  
Fruits, Seeds, Stem
  
Other Uses
Used for its medicinal properties, Wood is used for ship building
  
Food for animals, Used as firewood, Used As Food, Used in biomass
  
Used As Indoor Plant
No
  
No
  
Used As Outdoor Plant
Yes
  
Yes
  
Garden Design
Container, Feature Plant, Foundation, Mixed Border, Rock Garden / Wall, Tropical
  
Edible, Feature Plant, Shade Trees, Street Trees
  
Botanical Name
GUAIACUM sanctum
  
CASTANEA mollissima
  
Common Name
Holy-wood, Lignum Vitae
  
Chinese Chestnut
  
In Hindi
Holywood
  
चीनी अखरोट
  
In German
Holywood
  
chinesische Kastanie
  
In French
Holywood
  
châtaignier chinois
  
In Spanish
Holywood
  
Castaño chino
  
In Greek
Holywood
  
Κινέζικο κάστανο
  
In Portuguese
Holywood
  
castanha chinesa
  
In Polish
Holywood
  
Kasztan chiński
  
In Latin
Holywood
  
Chinese Chestnut
  
Kingdom
Plantae
  
Plantae
  
Phylum
Magnoliophyta
  
Tracheophyta
  
Class
Magnoliopsida
  
Magnoliopsida
  
Order
Sapindales
  
Fagales
  
Family
Zygophyllaceae
  
Fagaceae
  
Genus
Guaiacum
  
Castanea
  
Clade
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
  
Angiosperms, Eudicots, Rosids
  
Tribe
Not Available
  
Gloxinieae
  
Subfamily
Zygophylloideae
  
Cassidinae
  
Number of Species
Not Available