China Doll Plant

Botanical Name: Radermachera sinica

China Doll plant is fairly new as a house plant. Introduced to garden centers in the 1980s, it quickly became popular because of its tolerance to the warm, dry air of heated homes.

A small, evergreen shrub, it has long, bipinnate leaves with glossy, deeply veined leaflets that are about 2 in (5 cm) long. Young plants are compact with branching, woody stems. Fast-growing, this plant will quickly become leggy if not pruned back. Cut off as much as you need to in spring and summer. Also, pinch off growing tips regularly to encourage bushiness.

In its native habitat of subtropical Southeast Asia, mature plants will produce fragrant, yellow bell-shaped flowers. But plants grown indoors rarely flower.

The keys to success with this China Doll house plant are plenty of bright, indirect light and consistantly moist soil. Yellowing leaves usually mean it has been overwatered. Repot in spring, only when its roots have filled the pot.

Height: Up to 4 ft (1.2 m)

Light: Bright, indirect sunlight

Water: Keep soil evenly moist year-round.

Humidity: Average room humidity.

Temperature: Average room temperatures 60-75°F, 16-24°C

Soil: Any good potting mix.

Fertilizer: Feed every 2 weeks spring through fall with 10-10-10 liquid fertilizer diluted by half.

Propagation: Take 4 in (10 cm) stem tip cuttings in spring or summer.