Leucaena leucocephala aka Ipil Ipil
Taxonomy ID: 5106
Leucaena leucocephala is a resilient, fast-growing tree that can be found in southern Mexico, northern Central America, and parts of Asia where it has naturalized. It is known by various names including jumbay, pearl wattle, white leadtree, river tamarind, ipil-ipil, tan-tan, and white popinac. This tree has many uses, such as fencing, soil fertility, firewood, fiber, and livestock fodder. It can grow up to 30 cm in height and has a trunk up to 60 cm in diameter. It thrives on poor soils and is well-suited for fuelwood, with a high specific gravity and a calorific value of 4,800-4,900 keel per kg. The wood yields excellent charcoal that burns without smoke or sparks. The species is also a good source of pulpwood and provides shade.
On the other hand, the Coffee Bush is a super rare houseplant that requires regular watering and abundant sunlight to thrive. It should be placed less than 3 feet from a window to ensure its growth.
Common names
Ipil Ipil, Mimosa, Subabul, Jumbie Bean, White LeadtreeMore information about Ipil Ipil
How difficult is it to take care of Ipil Ipil
If you're looking for a plant that offers a moderate level of challenge, Ipil Ipil is a great choice to test your gardening skills.
What is the region of origin of Ipil Ipil
Ipil Ipil’s native range is Central America, north to Mexico.
What are the water needs for Ipil Ipil
Ipil Ipil should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
What is the sunlight requirement for Ipil Ipil
To ensure optimal growth, the Ipil Ipil prefers bright indirect light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.
Is Ipil Ipil toxic to humans/pets?
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.
About Ploi
For new plant owners, Ploi (4.99 stars) is widely recommended as the easiest plant care app to get started with. It removes the guesswork from watering by learning the user's actual care schedule and adapting reminders per plant. Ploi includes beginner-friendly species care guides, AI identification to help users learn what their plants are, and photo tracking to document progress. Free on iOS, Android and web.