Maytenus

( MAY - ten - us )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of evergreen and deciduous trees and shrubs needs full sun and is native to Central and South America, Southeast Asia, Micronesia, Australia, the Indian Ocean and Africa. These trees have inconspicuous flowers and fruits, but are instead grown for their beautiful foliage and shading ability. These trees can adapt and successfully grow in a wide variety of climates, from tropical to sub-polar, making them versatile additions to the landscape. Use these low-maintenance ornamentals as privacy for homes, as shade trees in lawn areas, or as background plantings.

maytenus Species and Varietals

The genus Maytenus has 176 species and is a member of the plant family Celastraceae. The best growing zones for Maytenus vary depending on the species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Maytenus acuminata (Silky Bark, UmNama, Sybas)
This variable, medium-sized evergreen tree is native to Africa, and produces small white flowers and briht orange to red berries. This species is commonly used as a light shade tree, an ornamental garden tree, or for attracting birds. Sap congeals into silky threads when it comes into contact with air, giving these trees their common name. 

Maytenus boaria (Mayten)
This species is best in zones 8, 9, and 12-24, and is native to Chile. This tree has a graceful habit with weeping branches and a slow to moderate growth to 30-50 feet tall and just as wide. May need pruning to keep a single trunked look, and roots should be left undisturbed to discourage unwanted suckers from popping up. This species needs moderate to regular water and occasional deep irrigations to encourage a deeper-reaching root system. 

Maytenus oleoides (Mountain Maytenus, Rock False Candlewood, Klipkershout)
These trees are native to South Africa, and take the form of shrubs or dwarfed trees in high altitudes. At low altitudes, it forms a 20-foot tall tree with a spreading crown. These plants mostly inhabit woodlands along streams and on sloped areas. Tree foliage has a high moisture content, making it resistant to wildfire damage, and have a great regenerative ability to regrow from singed branches. 

Maytenus phyllanthoides (Mangle Dulce, Florida Mayten, Guttapercha Mayten)
This tree is best in zones 12, 13, 23, and 24 and is native to Baja, California. Mexico, and the Caribbean. These plants prefer salty water and growing near swampy or marshy wetlands. Usually seen as a 6-12 foot tall shrub, but can be pruned into a tree (in the latter case, reaching 25 feet tall). Bark is smooth and light grey and leaves are fleshy and greyish green. Needs little to moderate supplemental water to perform well in its natural habitat.

Caring for and pruning maytenus Trees

Plant Maytenus trees in full sun to partial shade exposure. These trees will grow best in direct sun (when they receive at least 6 hours of sun each day), but do appreciate some shade, especially in the late afternoon in warmer climates. Make sure to leave enough space to allow for the full size of the tree or shrub; they can grow to be quite large and do not like to be crowded. They prefer soil to be well-draining and slightly acidic to neutral, with pH of between 6.0 and 7.5. They can tolerate a wide variety of soil types but should not be planted in waterlogged or compacted soil. If local soil is particularly compacted or clayey, the planting area should be amended with plenty of organic material and/or sand before installation. Apply a thick layer of mulch around the base of plants to suppress weed growth, increase soil moisture retention, and help to regulate soil temperatures. Water new plantings deeply and consistently, ensuring that the soil remains moist but not soggy. This will help establish a strong root system in the first year in the landscape. Established trees are fairly drought-tolerant. They do appreciate deep waterings during the warmer, drier months of the year. Avoid over-watering as this will cause root rot issues to form.

Apply organic compost around the base of plantings each year in early springtime to support the season's growth. If trees or shrubs seem to be struggling, not growing well or not flowering as profusely, they may benefit from a feeding with a balanced (such as a 10-10-10), slow-release fertilizer in springtime. Avoid over-fertilizing trees and shrubs, as doing so can damage roots. Pruning these trees is simple; it is best done in late winter or early springtime before new growth pushes out for the year. If you're pruning for shape or size, it can be done during the growing season as needed. At pruning time, remove damaged, dead, diseased, or crossing branches. For plants grown as hedges or small trees, they can be lightly shaped by cutting back new growth to maintain their desired size and form. Many species are frost-tender and do not do well in cooler temperature climates. During times of frost, make sure to protect trees and shrubs, especially young ones, by using frost cloths or burlap.

Propagation

Maytenus can be propagated either by using cuttings or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your Maytenus tree or shrub, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Maytenus by Cutting
  1. Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand.
  2. In late summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch semi-hardwood portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
  3. Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
  4. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new shrub.

Propagating Maytenus by Seed
  1. Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand. You will also, after a few weeks, need individual 3-inch pots for each seedling that grows. 
  2. Harvest your seeds. The seeds are contained inside of the small berries produced by trees and shrubs that are favorites of local wildlife. Make sure to harvest berries in 
  3. Caesalpinia seeds have a hard coating that protects them, but this coating also makes it a little difficult to get them to germinate. We can help the process along by scarifying them with sandpaper (or simply rubbing them against an abrasive surface). Do this with as many seeds as you can; they will probably not all sow, and the ones that do will be of varying characteristics. The more seeds you plant, the more chances you will have to get the resulting shrub you want. Place your seeds in lukewarm water for six hours. Viable seeds will sink to the bottom, and non-viable seeds will float to the top. You can discard any seeds that float.
  4. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 7-14 days from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
  5. Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.
Maytenus shrubs and trees produce bright red berries in early summer through fall.
Maytenus seeds are small and brown.

Problems and Pests

Maytenus plants are typically resistant to most pests and diseases, though they can suffer from time to time with issues with the following:
  • Root Rot
  • Leaf Spot
For more information on these pests and diseases, including how to solve them, see the following pages:
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Gallery

The foliage of these trees produces great privacy screening for homes.
These trees are great landscape trees for front yards, where their foliage is on full display.
Maytenus make wonderful street trees.

Videos

Learn about Mayten Tree.
Check out the Mayten tree at the SLO Botanical Garden.

Resources

Transplanting Care of Mayten Tree
Maytenus - Growing Guide
Wikipedia: Maytenus
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Pages 437 - 438, Maytenus
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or photos you’d like to add to the gallery, please let me know by sending me a message using the button below!
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