Radermachera sinica, also known as the china doll, serpent tree, or emerald tree, is an evergreen tree native to southern China and Taiwan. Its glossy leaves and fragrant white flowers attract houseplants. Growing up to 30 meters tall requires light, moisture, and well-drained soil in tropical to subtropical regions and Mediterranean climates, and can grow outdoors in USDA Hardiness zones 10 and 11.7
Plant Overview
| Common Names: | China Doll, Serpent tree, Emerald tree |
| Genus & Botanical Name: | Radermachera Sinica |
| Plant Type: | Houseplant |
| Origins: | USA, Southern China & Taiwan |
| Introduced In: | 1980 |
| Mature Size: | 4 to 6 feet) |
| Color: | Green |
| Top Feature: | Purifies the air |
| Propagation: | Stem Cuttings |
| Light & Water: | Medium |
| Temperature: | 65°F to 75°F |
| Repotting: | 4 Years |
| Zone: | 10-12 |
What Does A China Doll Plant look like
China Doll is a bushy houseplant with elegant, finely divided leaves, compact stature, and delicate trumpet-shaped flowers, making it an ideal companion for limited spaces.
How To Care For A China Doll Plant
It is an indoor plant that is very sensitive. They can’t bear a little change in their environment; it slows their growth quickly. The following 8 factors help you to care for a China Doll Plant.
1. Sunlight Needs
China Doll plants need 4 to 5 hours of daily sunlight to grow their leaves but they need indirect light from the sun. Direct light from the sun can easily burn their leaves should place the pot of the plant in the window & door.
2. Winter Light Source
In winter when you feel China Doll plants struggle to grow because of no indirect sunlight. You can use an artificial source of light to help the plant in growing.
3. Humidity Level
The plant needs high humidity, ideally 50% to 70% is best for growth. Humidity is a major factor in the growth. In winter & summer when the humidity level is low in the air use a humidity fire in the home.
4. Maintain Temperature
To maintain the perfect temperature of the room is 65°F to 75°F. China doll plants don’t like a craft place where the air is cold & windy.
5. Soil & Watering
The plant needs moisture in the soil but when you water make sure the upper layer of the soil is dry. Overwatering plants damage the roots.
6. Fertilizer
Provide food fertilizer once a month in summer & winter to your plant. Use liquid fertilizer and make sure to mix it with water. Don’t feed it in the fall and winter when it’s resting.
7. Potting & Repotting China Doll
Over time, salt can build up in your China Doll plant’s soil, which can hurt the leaves. To help, you can either change the soil or wash out the salt by running lots of water through it. Just place the pot in a drip pan or sink and let water flow through until it runs clear. You might need to do this a few times and empty the drip pan each time. This is especially important if you use softened water, so try using rainwater or distilled water instead.
8. Be aware of the change
Remember, China doll plants don’t like changes. If you change the light, water, and temperature, or move the plant, it might lose a lot of leaves. If that happens, don’t panic! They can grow back if you follow these steps: first, trim the remaining stems to about half or two-thirds. Then, waterless to prevent root rot, which can be a problem for them. Regular trimming is also important for their care.
China Doll Plant Features
China Doll is a bushy houseplant with elegant leaves and a thick canopy. It grows fast, reaching 4-6 feet indoors. It prefers bright, indirect light, warm conditions, moderate humidity, consistent watering, and is temperamental, and prone to leaf drop. It can be used as desk decor or furniture fillers. It purifies the air and is good for containers as it needs low maintenance.
Significance & Symbolism
The China Doll plant symbolizes resilience, adaptability, and growth, reflecting life’s trials and triumphs. Its delicate leaves and green foliage symbolize prosperity, nurturing development, and pursuing one’s true desires. The plant also reminds us that change and upward growth are possible in any situation.
How To Grow China Doll Plant (Radermachera sinica)
To grow a China doll plant indoors, use well-draining soil and a potting mix that drains well. Add sand or perlite if needed. Place the plant in a bright, partially shaded area. Water regularly, but never soggy or saturated. China doll plants appreciate humidity and can be grown with other plants or over a tray. Fertilize the plant regularly, especially in spring and summer, for faster growth.
How To Place Outdoor
Place the China Doll plant in a shade gradually with consistent temperatures of 60-65 degrees in spring. Move it to a sunny spot after a few weeks, and return it inside in the fall when temperatures drop to 30-35 degrees.
The Method To Propagate
Assume stem cuttings and position them in new, wet soil. If the dirt is reliably sodden, new roots ought to develop soon. The China Doll cutting can bring about another plant to slice 2 to 3 crawls of new development toward the tip of the plant, eliminate the lower leaves, and plunge the cutting into establishing chemical powder. The cutting ought to be kept in a well-depleting prepared blend and covered with a plastic sack to trap moistness. It should be kept in a splendid, warm spot and delicately pulled like clockwork to check whether it is establishing.
Proliferating the China Doll Plant in water includes choosing sound stems, setting up the cuttings, applying an establishing chemical, putting the cutting in water, giving sufficient light, changing the water consistently, checking root development, and relocating the cutting into a pot with well-depleting soil. Normal consideration is fundamental for the plant to keep up with its well-being and development.
Benefits Of The China Doll Plant
Every plant is beneficial for the earth & humans. China Doll Plant has 11 special benefits that create a joyful feeling for humans.
1. Air Purification
Like many other indoor plants, the China Doll helps clean the air. It takes in harmful things like formaldehyde, benzene, and carbon monoxide. Having this plant can make the air in your home healthier.
2. Stress Reduction
Research shows that being around indoor plants like the China Doll can help reduce stress and make you feel more relaxed. Caring for plants is connected to lower stress hormones and happier feelings.
3. Enhanced Decor
The China Doll plant has lovely leaves and is small in size, adding beauty to any indoor space. It looks great on a table, shelf, or as a floor plant. Its bright green leaves make the room feel fresh and create a calming atmosphere.
4. Humidity Regulation
indoor plants release moisture through a process called transpiration, which helps balance indoor humidity levels. The China Doll in your home makes a more comfortable and balanced indoor environment, particularly beneficial during dry winter months or in air-conditioned spaces.
5. China Doll Indoor Growth
China Doll plants are wide-leaf evergreens that grow in a limited place indoors. They feature small, glossy green leaves and have an upright growth pattern, typically reaching heights of 4 to 6 feet when fully matured.
6. China Plant Outdoor Growth
The plant can’t grow outdoors due to direct sunlight. It requires light but indirectly. Fast & direct light. Cold & hot air damage their leaves.
7. Non-Toxicity
The China Dolls do not cause toxic/poisonous or allergic reactions in humans, cats, or dogs. It is pet-friendly.
8. Ease of Cultivation
The China Doll plant is easy to care for. It doesn’t need a lot of attention and grows well indoors. Just provide the right light, water, and humidity, and it will flourish. Perfect for beginners!
9. Skin Health Benefit
The China Doll plant contributes to skin health by purifying indoor air and maintaining humidity levels, which helps prevent dryness. Its presence also promotes relaxation and reduces stress, indirectly supporting overall skin health. While not a skincare solution itself, it creates a healthier environment beneficial for your skin.
10. Medical Applications
The China Doll plant (Radermachera sinica) is mainly loved for its beauty. Some traditions suggest it may have health benefits. It might help reduce infection and act as a tonic. It is also thought to aid breathing. However, more research is needed. It also reduces stress & works as a heat cleaner. It is used in adding if a snake bites poisonous.
11. Aesthetic Appeal
It adds a bit of green and natural beauty to the area, making the space look better. It enhances the beauty of your home & room.
The Plant Pests & Problems
China Doll plants appeal to aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites. To save infestations, care for them weekly and deal with any troubles with the usage of insecticidal cleaning soap or neem oil. They can experience leaf spots if they stay wet, so position them where air circulates freely.
Despite challenges like leaf drop, resilience is inherent in the plant. Place them far away from pets and little children for an amicable conjunction. Leaf issues consist of evaporated leaves, leaf twisting, cooking leaves, overwatering, and yellowing leaves.
Overwatering can prompt root decay, even as overwatering can cause yellowing leaves. So keep up with it in a glossy, backhanded light and ensure it is dependably damp soil.
How To Prune China Doll Plant
To maintain a healthy China Doll plant, it is recommended to prune it four times per year or once each season. This facilitates prevent leggy increase and encourages clean leaf increase. Ordinary pruning, particularly throughout the developing season, promotes bushier growth and keeps the compact shape.
To prune, discover the proper time, use sharp, smooth pruning shears, trim lower back overgrowth, eliminate useless or dying foliage, prune sparse regions, eliminate yellow or brown leaves, deal with leaf drop, encourage bushy increase, and put off cuttings and fallen leaves well.
Trim lower back stems that have grown to be leggy and use sharp shears to keep away from tearing the woody stems. Dispose of cuttings and fallen leaves properly to prevent disease spread. Pruning is the Basic type of care for the China doll.
Conclusion
China Doll Plant is an indoor plant that needs indirect sunlight. Its shiny green & tall tree look makes it attractive. It enhances the look of your room & office. To stay healthy it needs regular water & soil. It doesn’t like changes in the environment. The care of the china doll plant is easy as you read above.
