Red cedar (Toona ciliata)
Care, watering, light and tips for Red cedar on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Meliaceae
- Difficulty: Demanding
- Watering: every 7 days
- Light: Partial shade
- Temperature: 10–30 °C
About Red cedar
Toona ciliata, also known as Red Cedar or Australian Red Cedar, is a fast-growing deciduous tree prized for its reddish, aromatic timber, similar to mahogany. It features a straight trunk and a dense canopy of pinnate leaves, making it an excellent shade tree or a striking specimen in large gardens and parks. Its fragrant white flowers appear in pendulous panicles during spring.
Native range
Tropical and subtropical Asia, including Southeast Asia, China, Nepal, India, and Australia.
Care tips
This tree thrives in full sun to partial shade, preferring deep, fertile, and well-drained soils. Regular watering is essential during its early years and dry periods to ensure proper establishment, though it tolerates some drought once mature. A common mistake is planting it in poor or compacted soils, which can hinder its growth. Protect young specimens from severe frosts.
How to save a dying Red cedar
- Warning signs
- Wilting or yellowing leaves falling massively, soft and drooping young shoots.
- First aid
- Check drainage, reduce watering, and place in sheltered partial shade. Inspect for pests under leaves.
- What kills it
- Constant waterlogging, prolonged drought, or intense frost exposure without protection.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if roots are not completely rotted and it still has green shoots or living trunk parts.