Moth Plant Care
Araujia sericifera
It likes full-sun areas and well-drained soil. It is an invasive species that spreads easily by seed and can smother other plants if not kept under control, so care should be taken. Its milky sap can cause skin irritation.
Monthly care calendar
Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.
- Watering: Not needed; rainfall is sufficient.
- Pruning: Hard pruning can be done to bring its spread under control.
- General care: Remove new seedlings that have sprouted from self-sown seed.
- Pests & diseases: Generally hardy.
- Frost risk: In hard and prolonged frosts, cover the root zone with mulch or dry leaves; also protect young plants. It is damaged below about -5 °C.
- Pruning: Before growth starts, this is the best time for final shaping and control pruning. Remove unwanted branches.
- General care: Check its surroundings to prevent it from spreading.
- Frost risk: In hard and prolonged frosts, cover the root zone with mulch or dry leaves; also protect young plants. It is damaged below about -5 °C.
- Watering: If the soil begins to dry, 5-10 L/week.
- Fertilizing: Balanced NPK fertilizer (e.g., 15-15-15) can be applied to the soil to promote growth ("does not need much fertilizer, do not overfeed").
- Pruning: Prune just before the shoots break. Because flowers form on this year's new shoots, hard pruning increases flowering.
- Plant protection: Check the new shoots for aphids.
- General care: Check the supports for climbing and guide the plant.
- Pests & diseases: Monitor for aphids.
- Watering: 10-15 L/week (adjust for rainfall).
- Fertilizing: If necessary, give a liquid fertilizer once a month.
- Pruning: You can pinch the tips to keep fast-growing shoots under control.
- Plant protection: If aphids are seen, use soapy water made with Aleppo soap or a suitable insecticide.
- General care: Cut shoots spreading into unwanted places.
- Watering: 15-20 L/week.
- Pruning: It grows very fast; prune regularly to maintain the shape and size you want.
- General care: Make sure the plant is not smothering other plants.
- Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month.
- Pruning: Continue pruning to prevent uncontrolled growth.
- General care: Prevent spreading by picking the seed capsules before they ripen.
- Pests & diseases: Check the leaves.
- Watering: In midsummer, deep watering every 15-20 days is enough. Established plants (over 2 years old) do not need watering in most years. The area around the roots should be wetted to a depth of 20-30 cm.
- Pruning: Continue pruning for control.
- General care: Be sure to collect the seed capsules (fruits) before they ripen and burst; this is very important.
- Pests & diseases: The plant may become stressed during extreme heat and drought.
- Watering: In midsummer, deep watering every 15-20 days is enough. Established plants (over 2 years old) do not need watering in most years. The area around the roots should be wetted to a depth of 20-30 cm.
- Pruning: Prune only for control purposes.
- General care: Continuing to collect seed capsules is critical to prevent spreading.
- Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month.
- Pruning: After flowering, a light pruning can be done to tidy the plant.
- General care: Make sure you have also collected the last seed capsules.
- Watering: 10-15 L/week, gradually reducing.
- Pruning: Remove unwanted long shoots before going into winter.
- General care: Pull up new seedlings that have sprouted from seeds scattered around the plant.
- Frost risk: Risk is low in temperate regions.
- Watering: Not needed; rainfall is usually sufficient.
- Pruning: Wait for winter dormancy for hard pruning.
- General care: Clear fallen leaves.
- Pests & diseases: General check.
- Frost risk: Protect the root collar of young plants with mulch.
- Pruning: While the plant is dormant, hard pruning can be done to keep it under control.
- General care: Carry out general cleaning.
- Frost risk: In hard and prolonged frosts, cover the root zone with mulch or dry leaves; also protect young plants. It is damaged below about -5 °C.
The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.
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