Consulta Plantas

Care of the tree Podocarpus neriifolius or Brown pine

The genus Podocarpus, family Podocarpaceae, comprises 100 species of trees and shrubs native to Asia, the Pacific, Central and South America, New Zealand, Australia and Africa. Some species are: Podocarpus neriifolius, Podocarpus macrophyllus, Podocarpus latifolius, Podocarpus henkelii, Podocarpus elongatus, Podocarpus dispermus, Podocarpus glaucus, Podocarpus grayae.

Common names: Brown pine, Oleander Podocarp. This species is native to India, Southeast Asia, and several Pacific islands.

They are monoecious, slow-growing trees with a pyramidal bearing that reach 15 meters (49.2 feet) in height. The leathery leaves are lanceolate, deep green in color and similar to those of Nerium oleander. The male cones are elongated and yellowish in color and the female ones become quite decorative bluish fruits.

They are used as isolated specimens, to form hedges and screens, in street alignments, in public parks, and in pots for patios, terraces, and well-lit interiors. They are highly recommended for Mediterranean coastal gardens.

Podocarpus neriifolius grow in full sun or semi-shade exposures. They resist well the heat of the Mediterranean summer and the occasional frost.

They grow in any type of soil (even calcareous); They prefer a garden substrate with 25% coarse sand and 20% compost.

They have high resistance to drought; water moderately, increasing waterings in spring and summer, always waiting for the substrate to dry.

Fertilize in late winter or mid-fall with compost or manure.

Prune lightly in late winter to keep it compact.

They are resistant plants to the usual pests and diseases.

They are propagated by cuttings or from seeds but they are slow processes.

Images of the tree Podocarpus neriifolius or Brown pine