Chinaberrytree (Melia azedarach)
Formerly Azedarach sempervirens, Melia japonica, Melia arguta
Keep this tree in full sun to part shade, in well-drained soil, and give it moderate amounts of water. It is listed as toxic to both cats and dogs. It is a fast-growing deciduous tree rated for USDA zones 7a through 10b.
Photo: Forest & Kim Starr, CC BY 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Quick facts
| Water: | Medium11 source |
|---|---|
| Soil: | Well drained23 |
| Size: | 30–40 ft (9.14–12.19 m) × 15–25 ft (4.57–7.62 m)23 |
| Growth rate: | Rapid2353 |
| Bloom: | Purple and pink23 |
| Cats: | Toxic to cats 42 |
| Dogs: | Toxic to dogs 42 |
| Native range: | ASS, BAN, CBD, CHC, CHH, CHN, CHS, EHM, IND, JAW, LAO, LSI, MYA, NEP, NSW, NTA, NWG, PAK, PHI, QLD, SOL, SRL, SUM, TAI, THA, VIE, WAU, WHM6 |
| Family: | Meliaceae |
How often to water a Chinaberrytree
Give this tree moderate amounts of water, and keep the drainage good. The water need is listed as medium, at both the low end and the high end of the range. Pair that watering with well-drained soil, which is the drainage this tree is listed for.
- Water: Medium1
Best soil for a Chinaberrytree
Choose a planting site with well-drained soil, which is the drainage condition recorded for this tree. Pick the spot with its mature size in mind, which is 30–40 ft (9.14–12.19 m) tall and 15–25 ft (4.57–7.62 m) wide. Its rapid growth rate and deciduous habit are worth knowing before you choose the place.
How to propagate a Chinaberrytree
Seed and root cuttings are the two propagation methods listed for this tree. Any new tree you raise is rated for USDA zones 7a through 10b. A young tree grows at a rapid rate. Full sun is preferred, and part shade is also listed. The tree is a tree by habit, and its flowers are purple and pink.
- Propagation: Seed and root cuttings3
Common problems
Four pests are listed: red shouldered bug, greedy scale, citrus whitefly and white peach scale. The red shouldered bug also goes by the name golden rain tree bug. Two diseases are listed: leaf spot and sooty mold. Leaf spot causes the tree to lose its leaves early.
| Problem | Kind |
|---|---|
| Red shouldered bug | Pest |
| Greedy scale | Pest |
| Citrus whitefly | Pest |
| White peach scale | Pest |
| Leaf spot | Disease |
| Sooty mold | Disease |
Is Chinaberrytree toxic to cats and dogs?
The ASPCA lists this plant as toxic to cats. The ASPCA lists it as toxic to dogs as well. NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox describes the plant as poisonous to humans and to mammals, including cats and dogs. The toxicity position is the same for both animals: each is listed as toxic. Both entries use the same word, toxic, for cats and for dogs.
Pet-safe alternatives
Recommended supplies
- Soil: a free-draining mix, and a pot with a drainage hole.
Questions and answers
- Is Chinaberrytree toxic to cats and dogs?
- Cats and dogs are both on the toxic list for this tree, according to the ASPCA. NC State Extension also describes the plant as poisonous to mammals, including cats and dogs. The cat entry and the dog entry each say toxic.
- Which hardiness zones and light suit Chinaberrytree?
- It is rated for USDA zones 7a through 10b. Full sun is preferred, and part shade is also listed. The soil should be well drained, and the tree is deciduous with a rapid growth rate.
- How big does Chinaberrytree get, and what color are its flowers?
- It reaches 30–40 ft (9.14–12.19 m) tall, with a spread of 15–25 ft (4.57–7.62 m). The flowers are purple and pink. In the lower 48 states, Hawaii and Puerto Rico it is listed as introduced.
Sources
- UC Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program. https://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/GARDEN/PLANTS/chinaberry.html. Accessed 30 October 2026.
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/melia-azedarach/. Accessed 13 October 2026.
- University of Florida IFAS Extension (EDIS). https://ask.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/ST406. Accessed 13 October 2026.
- ASPCA. https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/aspca-poison-control/toxic-and-non-toxic-plants/chinaberry-tree. Accessed 15 October 2026.
- Utah State University Extension (TreeBrowser). https://extension.usu.edu/treebrowser/catalog/chinaberry. Accessed 13 October 2026.
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (World Checklist of Vascular Plants). https://sftp.kew.org/pub/data-repositories/WCVP/wcvp.zip. Accessed 4 June 2026.
How this page was made
- Written with AI assistance from the sources listed on this page. AI is never the source of a fact.