Consulta Plantas

Care of the tree Styrax officinalis or Storax

The genus Styrax, family Styracaceae, comprises 100 species of trees and shrubs native to China, Japan, North America, Europe, and the Near East. Some species are: Styrax japonica, Styrax hemsleyana, Styrax officinalis, Styrax schweliensis, Styrax obassia.

Common names: Storax, Snowdrop Bush, Snowbell bush. This species is native to southern Europe and the Middle East.

They are deciduous trees or shrubs that reach 5 meters (16.4 feet) in height. They have oval leaves that are dark green on the upper side and greyish on the underside. The white flowers are bell-shaped and appear on long peduncles. They bloom in spring and early summer.

They are used in bushy groups, in hedges, as isolated specimens and in pots at least 80 cm (2.62 feet) deep.

Styrax officinalis grows in semi-shade or full sun exposures (if the heat is not too intense). They resist occasional frosts.

The soil must contain organic matter and coarse sand and be light and acidic.

Water every 10 days if they are grown in the garden and once a week if they are grown in a pot. In winter reduce watering.

Fertilize every month with liquid organic fertilizer in spring.

They can be lightly pruned after flowering to keep them compact.

They are propagated from seeds sown in spring or fall and from cuttings in early spring or early summer.

Images of the tree Styrax officinalis or Storax