Celtis laevigata aka Southern Hackberry

Taxonomy

Celtis laevigata, also known as sugarberry or Southern hackberry, is a deciduous tree native to North America. Its range extends from the Eastern United States west to Texas and south to northeastern Mexico, including the island of Bermuda. The tree has ovate to lance-shaped, dark green leaves that are paler and softly hairy beneath. In spring, it produces insignificant, green flowers that are followed by edible, orange-red fruit ripening to purple-black. Sugarberry can be easily confused with common hackberry, but can be distinguished by its narrower leaves with mostly smooth margins, juicier and sweeter berries, and less corky bark. Sugarberry mainly occurs in bottomland areas, while common hackberry occurs primarily in upland areas where the ranges overlap. Southern Hackberry, a rare houseplant belonging to the Celtis genus, is also native to the Central and South United States to Mexico, and Bermuda. It is not challenging to grow and requires regular watering, well-draining soil, and long-lasting, direct light less than 1 foot from a window. It does not need added fertilizers if repotted each time it doubles in size.

Common names

Southern Hackberry, Sugar Hackberry, Sugarberry

How to care for Southern Hackberry

Difficulty

Caring for Southern Hackberry is a breeze, as it is highly adaptable and forgiving to minor neglect.

Water

Southern Hackberry should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Southern Hackberry loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Southern Hackberry requires abundant, bright, and direct light to thrive. The best placement for this plant is within one foot of a window to ensure it receives enough light. If you live in an area with more extreme weather, such as hot summers or cold winters, you may need to adjust the placement of the plant accordingly. During hot summer months, it is important to place the plant away from full sun, as this can cause the leaves to yellow or burn. During cold winter months, it is best to move the plant closer to the window to take advantage of the extra light that can help it survive. By keeping an eye on the current weather in your area, you can make sure your Sugar Hackberry is always in the right place to thrive.

Dormancy

During the cold period, it is common for Southern Hackberry to go dormant, resulting in a slowdown of growth. To accommodate this, waterings should be spaced out more.

Toxicity

Ploi lacks confirmed information on the toxicity of this plant. If you, a relative, or your pet accidentally consume plant material with unknown toxicity, it's best to consult a medical expert.

Fertilizer

The Southern Hackberry grows at a slow pace and doesn't require any supplementary fertilizers. By renewing its potting soil once a year, it should receive enough nourishment. Remember, plants obtain their energy from sunlight, not fertilizers.

Region of origin

Southern Hackberry’s native range is South-eastern N. America - Virginia to Illinois and Missouri, south to Florida and Texas.


More info:
Wikipedia