How To Grow a Silver Tree Step By Step!

Last Updated on October 7, 2022 by Griselda M.

Here is a guide to help you learn how to grow a silver tree and the care and maintenance this tree requires.

The incredible silver tree, scientific name Leucadendron argenteum is a unique plant with silvery, shiny foliage that feels like velvet. The tree has other common names such as witteboom and silver boom. It is an endangered species belonging to the Proteaceae family. It is endemic to the small region of the Cape Peninsula in South Africa. It is a protected species due to its status.

The silver tree is an evergreen tree with a striking appearance. It can grow up to 16m in height. It stands erect with a thick straight truck and grey bark. It has long, shiny, silver leaves.

The tree only occurs in the regions around Cape Town, South Africa, where it is endemic. However, if you want to learn how to grow your silver tree, follow the following step-by-step guide.

Learn more about How To Grow A Mulberry Tree From Seed?

A Step-By-Step Guide On How To Grow a Silver Tree

Growing a silver tree is considered a bit of a difficult task because these trees are highly susceptible to root rot fungi such as Phytophthora. However, if you can get it right, growing this tree can be the most rewarding experience in nature. The trees have an incredible scent and once they get established, and attract beetles for pollination. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you grow your own silver tree.

Step 1. Choose the right site

Silver trees prefer full sun but will do well in partial shade as long as it is not shady for too long. They are extremely drought tolerant, so they can withstand short periods of no water. With this species of tree, you will need to be very careful to not overwater or the tree may die.

Step 2. Dig the hole

The size of the hole should be larger than the root ball, but smaller than half the width of the tree.

Step 3. Fill with soil

Use a trowel to dig out the topsoil and mix it with some compost and other organic matter. Although these trees can tolerate a wide range of soils, they do best with well-draining soil and good air circulation (so more sandy soils).

Step 4. Plant the tree

Remove the tree from its pot. Using a shovel, dig a hole in the ground big enough to fit the trunk of the tree. Take off all of the leaves around the trunk using a pair of scissors. Cut the roots of the tree and place them in the hole. Fill the hole with more soil.

Step 5. Water

Water the tree well until the soil drips out of the hole. You may need to water the tree consistently for several days after planting. Since the tree is susceptible to root rot fungus, you must make sure that the water drains when you water so that your tree does not get root rot.

Step 6. Prune

Once the tree is established, you will want to prune it to encourage growth. Remove any dead or damaged branches. Also, remove any thin or weak branches.

Finally, enjoy your growing tree.  A mature tree will shed its leaves every year. Make sure to remove them as soon as they drop. They may be a home for pests.

Take Home Message – How To Grow a Silver Tree

We hope this guide provided you with the information you need to grow a silver tree. Now you can go ahead and grow your own to enjoy and admire. Growing these trees requires a lot of patience because they take years to grow and mature. They can take about eight to ten years to mature. So if you plant them with your kids, they may not be kids anymore by the time these trees grow. But they will leave lots of memories.

These trees are however shortlived, and they don’t usually live beyond 20 years. So if you want to keep having a small jungle of these trees, you will need to keep planting them over time. This will give you lots of practice and familiarity with growing the trees.

You can propagate these trees with seeds or cuttings. Plant them around autumn and you should start seeing signs of germination around spring.

Remember these trees are extremely sensitive to root rot, so by the time you notice symptoms it may be too late. So with these trees, prevention is best.

Given all the guidelines in this article, you are now ready to go and start growing your own silver tree. You will find out how therapeutic it is to watch your little seedlings grow into gigantic beautiful trees that you can enjoy.

If you enjoyed reading this article, please feel free to share it with your family and friends. Happy gardening!

Read more about How To Grow A Lime Tree Without Seeds?

Frequently Asked Questions