China Doll

China Doll key facts

Growing Difficulty

Intermediate

Lifespan

Perennial evergreen tree

Size

Up to 30 m in the wild; about 1.2-1.8 m as an indoor pot plant

Temperature

16〜24℃

Watering

Light houseplant feed in the growing season

Light & Placement

Bright indirect light is best, with a few hours of curtain-filtered sun from an east, west or south window. Avoid harsh direct sun.

Watering

Keep the mix consistently moist and never let it dry out, but avoid waterlogging. Wilting can signal either too little or too much water.

Temperature & Overwintering

Ideal temperatures are about 21-24°C by day and 16-18°C at night. It cannot tolerate frost, so keep it indoors in winter.

Soil & Repotting

Use a soil-based potting mix. It tolerates dry indoor air but appreciates misting.

Pruning & Shaping

Prune as needed to prevent legginess.

Propagation

Propagate from stem cuttings in summer.

Pests & Cautions

Watch for aphids and spider mites on indoor plants.

About China Doll

Sold under the name "Stereospermum" (botanically Radermachera sinica), this evergreen features glossy, feathery bipinnate leaves. An intermediate-level houseplant that typically reaches 1.2-1.8m indoors.

7 things to know before growing China Doll

1. 1Bright, Indirect Light

   Place it near a window where it gets bright light filtered through a sheer curtain rather than direct sun, which helps the leaves keep their glossy color. Too much direct sunlight can scorch the foliage, while a spot that's too dark tends to cause leggy, stretched-out growth.

2. 2Keep the Soil Evenly Moist

   Keep the potting mix consistently moist and don't let it dry out too much, as this plant readily drops its leaves when it gets too dry. At the same time, avoid waterlogged soil and empty any water that collects in the saucer. Wilting can be caused by both underwatering and overwatering, so check how moist the soil is before watering. Misting the leaves during dry spells helps keep them looking their best.

3. 3Well-Draining Soil

   Use a well-draining, well-aerated potting mix formulated for houseplants. Since the roots are sensitive to excess moisture, avoid soil that retains too much water, and a layer of drainage material at the bottom of the pot adds extra insurance.

4. 4When to Repot

   During active growth, the roots fill out the pot fairly quickly, so repotting into a slightly larger container every one to two years is a good rule of thumb. Roots showing through the drainage holes or soil drying out faster than usual are both signs it's time to repot, and doing so during the growing season minimizes stress on the plant.

5. 5Keep Warm in Winter

   This plant is sensitive to cold, so bring it into a warm room as temperatures drop and keep it away from cold drafts near windows or direct heater airflow. Growth slows down in winter, so cut back on watering frequency and check the soil before giving it more.

6. 6Choosing a Healthy Plant

   Look for glossy leaves free of discoloration, dark spots, or signs of pests. Plants with evenly filled-out foliage and a sturdy, non-wobbly stem tend to establish well, while a plant with very sparse leaves may take longer to settle into a new environment.

7. 7Pruning for Shape

   Trimming back overly long or crowded branches improves airflow and keeps the overall shape neat. Cutting back stems encourages new side shoots to form, helping the plant fill out more fully, and pruning during the growing season tends to work best.

Frequently asked questions about China Doll

Q.Are Stereospermum and Radermachera the same plant?

A.Yes, they're the same plant. It has long been sold under the trade name "Stereospermum," but its current accepted botanical name is Radermachera sinica. Many sellers still use "Stereospermum" as the common name.

Q.Is this a good plant for beginners?

A.It's generally considered suited to intermediate-level growers. Getting the light and watering right takes a bit of practice, so it suits someone with some houseplant experience already, though it's manageable once you learn the basics.

Q.How large does it grow?

A.In its native habitat it can grow into a tree up to 30 meters tall, but as a potted houseplant it's usually kept around 1.2 to 1.8 meters. Pruning also lets you control its height and shape.

Q.Why are the leaves dropping?

A.Letting the soil dry out too much is a common cause of leaf drop. Overwatering can also make the plant wilt, so aim to keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged. It's also sensitive to frost and cold, so keep it indoors over winter.

Q.What does this plant look like?

A.It's an evergreen with light, feathery foliage made up of glossy leaflets arranged in a bipinnate pattern. It belongs to the Bignoniaceae family and, as a perennial evergreen, keeps its leaves throughout the year.

Handy Growing Tools for China Doll

Learn more about China Doll in the encyclopedia

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