Sicilian Sumac Care
Rhus coriaria
A shrub native to sunny, dry and rocky slopes, extremely tolerant of drought. Its fruits are used as a spice, while the plant tends to spread by root suckers and takes on bright red colors in autumn.
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.
- Pruning: This is the best time to control the plant's size, remove dead branches, and cut off unwanted root suckers.
- General care: Root barriers can be considered to keep its spread under control.
- Pruning: While dormant, remove dry, broken, crossing and inward-growing branches so that air and light reach the inside of the crown.
- General care: Preparations can be made for propagation from seed or root cuttings.
- Frost risk: Protect newly planted seedlings from severe frosts.
- Watering: Only for newly planted seedlings, if it stays dry, give a single rescue watering of 10 L.
- General care: Cut off newly emerging root suckers if they are not wanted.
- General care: Greenish flower clusters form; keep checking for root suckers.
- General care: It is in its active growth period.
- Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month.
- General care: It needs no care; the fruits (sumac clusters) develop during this period.
- Watering: In midsummer, deep watering every 15-20 days is enough. Established plants (over 2 years old) do not need watering in most years. Water the area around the roots to a depth of 15-20 cm.
- General care: It requires no care even in the hottest and driest months.
- Watering: In midsummer, deep watering every 15-20 days is enough. Established plants (over 2 years old) do not need watering in most years. Water the area around the roots to a depth of 15-20 cm.
- General care: The fruits continue to ripen.
- Watering: In a long drought, water deeply once a month.
- General care: This is the best time to harvest the red, hairy fruit clusters. For harvest, make sure the clusters are fully ripe and dry.
- Pests & diseases: Check the clusters to be harvested for mold or insects.
- General care: The plant takes on bright red and orange autumn colours. This is one of the times it is most decorative.
- General care: Collect fallen leaves; many disease agents and pests overwinter under leaves.
- Frost risk: Protect newly planted seedlings during the first winter.
- Pruning: Pruning can begin to shape the plant and remove root suckers.
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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