How to Plant, Grow, and Care for China Doll
The China doll is a popular houseplant prized for its dark green foliage. Kevin Espiritu will explain all you need to know to grow Radermachera sinica indoors in this in-depth guide.
Contents
The China doll was only introduced to domestic settings in the early 1980s. It’s a fairly compact evergreen that has become popular due to how tolerant it is of the warm, low-humidity air of most modern homes.
It has medium to dark green foliage that’s glossy and almost look oily. The leaves are divided into separate leaflets and are thin and delicate looking. The blooms that occur on mature plants are white (but it rarely blooms indoors).
In this guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about planting and caring for the wonderful China doll. Let’s get started!
Plant Overview
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Plant Type
Houseplant, evergreen tree
Family
Bignoniaceae
Genus
Radermachera
Species
Radermachera sinica
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Native Area
Assam, South China, East Himalaya, Myanmar, Taiwan, Vietnam
Exposure
Bright, indirect light
Height
30’
Watering Requirements
Moderate
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Pests & Diseases
Mealybugs, spider mites, aphids, stem, crown, and root rot
Maintenance
Low
Soil Type
Well-draining, rich
Hardiness Zone
10-12
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What is China Doll?
The China doll is known botanically as Radermachera sinica. It is also commonly referred to as the emerald tree or serpent tree. As evidenced by its compound leaflets, it is a member of the begonia and trumpet vine family.
Native Area
Serpent trees, or China dolls, are native to Taiwanese and Chinese subtropical mountain regions. They grow on mountain slopes and can reach 30 feet tall. The trees have been introduced to habitats in Hawaii, which are now considered invasive.
Most regions outside the China doll native range are not specialized enough to support it. However, it’s commonly cultivated in greenhouses and as a houseplant. It’s a lovely addition to screened-in porches and will thrive in subtropical and Mediterranean climates.
Characteristics
This lush, evergreen houseplant boasts delicate, glossy, and finely divided leaves that resemble ferns or evergreens with lacy foliage. Its compact, upright growth habit makes it an excellent choice for indoor spaces. With proper care, it can grow up to five feet tall indoors.
Planting
To plant a China doll, choose a well-draining pot with drainage holes to prevent waterlogging, as it is sensitive to overwatering. Use a lightweight potting mix rich in organic matter, such as one formulated for houseplants. Plant it at the same depth it grew in its original container and fully cover the root ball with soil.
How to Grow
China dolls are pretty hardy so long as you put them in the right environment to start with. Once you have them there, avoid moving them around too much, which can result in leaf drop, even on a healthy houseplant.
Light
For best growth, give your China doll a lot of bright (but indirect) sun. It needs at least four to five hours of sun per day, even indoors. If you don’t have a spot in your house that gets that much light, you should consider purchasing indoor grow lights to supplement. South and east-facing windows are perfect for growing.
Water
These houseplants like consistently moist soil, but too little or too much water can wreak havoc on your China doll. The soil should be kept moist, but the roots shouldn’t be allowed to sit in water. Water only when the top inch of the soil is dry to the touch. If it develops brittle leaves that turn yellow, it not getting enough water.
Too much water is indicated by black-colored leaf tips. When new foliage is developing, watering can be slightly increased and decreased again once the China doll has become dormant in fall and winter. During active growth, you want moist soil.
The relative humidity required for growing China doll is at least 40%. Most homes remain between 30 and 50%. However, a plant humidifier will ensure your tree doesn’t experience stress from ambient dryness.
Soil
China dolls like a rich soil that drains well. General moist potting mix can be used. Add sand or perlite if extra drainage is needed. Rocks, perlite, sand, or another type of growing medium placed in the bottom of your pot can remedy poor drainage or overly moist soil.
Additions of peat moss will help your soil retain moisture, and reduce the amount of water the China doll needs. If you plan to add peat, pre-moisten it before planting.
Temperature
China dolls need at least 64°F (18°C) to thrive. In outdoor situations, bring your plant indoors when temperatures dip below that degree. Additionally, in temps above 82°F (28°C), the houseplant will drop leaves. If you live somewhere that fluctuations occur outside that range often, keep your tree inside.
Fertilizer
China doll should be fed at least twice a month while it’s growth period is active. Use a standard liquid fertilizer that’s diluted by 50%. These plants require less fertilization during inactive growth and feeding times should be decreased in fall and winter.
A slow-release fertilizer can be used to feed twice yearly. It shouldn’t be fertilized for four months after being re-potted.
Maintenance
At any time, prune away dead or damaged leaves to the main branch of your China doll. To shape, clip taller woody stems back to about half an inch. Pruning inward-growing leaves will make it bushier, and pruning outward-growing leaves will make it wider. After you prune, water half as much as you did prior.
Propagation
While it is difficult to propagate a China doll, it isn’t impossible with a little extra care. Stem cuttings can be taken from the stems, but the stem tip cuttings should be from new green growth, not woody stems.
Dip stem cuttings in rooting hormone and plant them in small pots filled with some moist, well-draining potting soil. Affix a plastic bag to the top of the pots to retain humidity. China dolls need high humidity to take root. Place the cuttings in a location with bright, indirect light. Keep the soil evenly moist during this time, and within three to four weeks, they should take root.
Common Problems
China dolls don’t have many problems with pests or diseases, but there are a few pesky ones that affect almost all houseplants. Let’s discuss those now.
Growing Problems
If it gets too hot or cold, it will take on leaf damage, with browning tips in cold air and leaf drop in heat above 82°F (28°C). Ensure it remains in a space between 82°F and 64°F (18-28°C). Proper humidity is important too. Plant humidifiers can maintain a precise 40%, should your China dolls get crispy in dry conditions.
Do not under or overwater your plant as this is likely to cause conditions where rot can develop for the latter and leaf drop with the former. Water when the top inch of soil is dry. If you’re unsure whether it’s time to water, use a moisture meter.
Pests
When it comes to scale insects, the best approach to treatment is spot removal with an alcohol-dipped q-tip. If there are a lot of little round oval-shaped bugs on the underside of your leaves near the stems, you might have scale. Some are brown and slimy looking, and others are cottony.
The second of these are mealybugs. Spritzing twith neem oil or insecticidal soap after your spot treatment will prevent further infestations.
There are a few fly species that like to attack China dolls, including fungus gnats. The general treatment for fly infestations is a lower-humidity environment and beneficial nematodes. You can also do a diluted neem soil soak. Follow the directions on the bottle to determine how best to do this.
Diseases
Most of the China doll diseases fall under the fungi category, meaning the treatment is a lower-humidity environment. If the disease is particularly bad, you’ll need to get an organic fungicide to clear it out. Root rot, leaf spot, and varying crown and stem rots are the most common of these.
Most of the time, you can stop watering and remove damaged foliage, and a root rot problem will pass. However, you may need to repot in fresh soil. If the problem doesn’t cease after this, dispose of it.
Frequently Asked Questions
The leaves of my China doll are dry and falling off of the stem. Does it need more water?
The most likely problem is that you didn’t water enough, and part has died. Cut it off, and new growth will return.
What are these little white balls on my plant? They kind of look like little cotton balls.
It’s almost guaranteed that they are mealybugs. Remove them with rubbing alcohol and cotton balls. For a larger infestation, use insecticidal soap or neem oil and spray your entire plant.
There are a lot of leaves at the top of my plant, but not many below. What’s happening?
You’ll want to heavily prune back and then move it to a very sunny location. Pruning at least two-thirds back is a good rule of thumb here.
The leaves are falling off on my China doll. What’s happening?
Whenever you change the amount of light, water, or the temperature of the room, it responds by shedding leaves. It should stabilize once it gets used to the new environment.
Where should I put my China doll?
Place it in an area with at least 40% humidity and bright, indirect light.
Is a China doll poisonous?
This is a non-toxic plant for both pets and humans.
How often should I water my China doll?
Water only when the top inch of soil is completely dry.
