Do you know how to grow the Pink Snowball Tree? It’s a real beauty! Learn to grow and care for it with our expert guide!
The Pink Snowball Tree has showy flowers and a long blooming season, which make it a lovely choice for the garden. It’s really easy to care for and is also adaptable.
Pink Snowball Tree Information
The Pink Snowball Tree is actually a flowering shrub with clustered spheres of bright pink flowers. The flowers have long pink stamens that make it look like a giant, pink snowball, which gives it the name.
This ornamental shrub is native to Europe and Northern Asia and can grow 8-12 feet tall. Many people do not know this, but the tree also has red berries. The berries are a source of food for birds and wildlife, so it has a huge ecological role apart from their beauty.
Botanical Name: Dombeya wallichii
Common Names: Pink Ball Tree, Pink Ball Dombeya, Tropical Hydrangea
Propagating Pink Snowball Tree
Propagating the Pink Ball Tree is a breeze. You can do it easily with softwood cuttings. Just grab a few non-flowering shoots that have a few leaves and cut out 4-6 inch cuttings from these.
Get rid of the lower leaves, stick it in a small pot filled with a well-draining potting mix, and water it thoroughly. After that, you just need to place it in a warm spot and care for it. Mist it every now and then, and after a few weeks, it will sprout roots and then start growing into a new plant.
Best Pot Size for Planting Pink Snowball Tree
You don’t need a massive pot when you’re just starting out. Get one that’s about 12-18 inches deep and wide, and go from there. As it grows, just transplant it into a new one when it outgrows the current pot.
Since it’s a heavy shrub, you need something sturdy, like a large wooden planter. You can also go for a plastic pot or a wine barrel.
Requirements for Growing Pink Snowball Tree
Location
Plant your Pink Snowball Tree is a spot with bright, indirect sunlight. Harsh sunlight can scorch the leaves, so save it from the afternoon rays. If you’re growing it indoors, you should keep it near a south or east-facing window.
Soil
The key is well-draining for it. You’ll need a good quality potting mix, so create one by mixing the following.
- 1 part potting soil for the base
- 1 part perlite for drainage and aeration
- 1 part orchid bark for good air circulation
Mix these in a pot and plant your tree in this mix.
Watering
Water the tree well, but allow the top inch of the soil to dry out between waterings. Whatever happens, make sure the soil is not soggy because it will rot the roots of the plant.
The best way is to check the soil with your finger before watering the plant.
Temperature and Humidity
Pink Ball Trees love warm temperatures. They can also tolerate slight dips, but the ideal range is about 65-80°F (18-27°C).
Pink Snowball Tree Care
Fertilizer
For this tree, pick a high-nitrogen fertilizer. Give it to your plant during spring and summer, but only once every two months. Make sure you dilute it to half its strength in water before you give it to your Snowball Tree.
Pruning
You can prune your tree right after it flowers in late spring or early summer. Just get rid of the dead, diseased branches–basically, anything that’s hindering the plant’s form.
Pests and Diseases
Pink Ball Trees are quite pest and disease-resistant, but you’ll need to keep an eye out for mealybugs and scale insects. If you do see these, hit them with a neem oil spray, and they’ll be gone.
