Terebinth (Pistacia terebinthus)
Care, watering, light and tips for Terebinth on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Anacardiaceae
- Difficulty: Easy to care for
- Watering: every 15 days
- Light: Partial shade
- Temperature: 10–30 °C
- Toxicity: Toxic to pets
About Terebinth
Pistacia terebinthus, also known as Turpentine Tree or Terebinth, is a deciduous shrub or small tree native to the Mediterranean region, valued for its hardiness and foliage that turns reddish in autumn. Its small, globose fruits, although not edible like cultivated pistachios, are attractive to wildlife. It is ideal for low-maintenance gardens, arid landscape restoration, or as a specimen plant due to its ornamental value.
Native range
Mediterranean region, from Morocco and Portugal to Western Asia
Care tips
It requires full sun for optimal development and good fruiting. It is extremely drought-tolerant once established, so watering should be infrequent and spaced out, especially in summer. It prefers well-drained soils, even poor and calcareous ones, tolerating a wide range of pH. A common mistake is overwatering, which can lead to root rot.
How to save a dying Terebinth
- Warning signs
- Wilted, yellowing, or prematurely falling leaves. Dry or brittle branches.
- First aid
- Check drainage and soil moisture. Prune dead branches. Protect from direct sun if young.
- What kills it
- Constant waterlogging, heavy soil without drainage. Total lack of watering in prolonged drought.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, it's a resilient plant. Act quickly if you see severe wilting or leaf drop.