Grow Texas kidneywood in full sun or light shade on soil that drains. Texas kidneywood is also called kidneywood. It is not Texas mountain laurel.
Give it full sun and soil that drains
| Factor | Recommended | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| Light | Full sun or light shade | Do not hide it in deep shade |
| Water | Water deeply the first year; then skip extra water except a long dry spell | Do not keep the crown wet once the shrub is set |
| Soil | Soil that drains; rocky limestone, caliche, sand, or clay that does not pond | Do not plant it in a winter bog or a wet clay pocket |
| Feed | Lean ground is enough | Do not pile on fertilizer |
Texas kidneywood is a Texas shrub for a hot, dry site. Give it full sun or light shade. Deep shade thins the white flower spikes. Water deeply through the first growing season so the roots go down, then skip extra water except during a long dry spell. The shrub may drop its leaves in a hard drought and leaf out again when rain returns. [1] Soil that drains after rain is the rule. Rocky limestone and caliche are fine. Lean ground is enough; skip fertilizer. [2] Texas Kidneywood is Eysenhardtia texana, about 6 to 15 feet, with compound leaves that smell citrus when crushed and white spikes after rain.
How much sun does Texas kidneywood need?
Full sun or light shade. Deep shade thins the white spikes. Put it in the open so the flowers can form after rain.
How often should I water Texas kidneywood?
Water deeply through the first growing season. Once the shrub is set, skip extra water unless a long dry spell dulls the leaves. Do not keep the crown wet.
Does Texas kidneywood come back every year?
Yes. It is a deciduous shrub. It drops its leaves in winter, and it may drop them in a hard drought, then leaf out again.
Plant in fall or early spring
Set a nursery plant in fall or early spring, at the same depth it sat in the pot. Fall gives the roots a cool season before summer heat. Do not add a rich compost pocket that holds water. [3]
- Plant a nursery shrub in fall or early spring, at the same depth it sat in the pot.
- Leave about 6 to 8 feet between plants if you want a screen, and water it in for the first season.
- Do not bury the crown or pack wet clay around the roots.
When do I plant Texas kidneywood?
Plant nursery stock in fall or early spring. Fall is the better window because the roots can grow before summer heat.
Sow fresh seed, or root a cutting
You can start Texas kidneywood from fresh seed or from a cutting. Fresh untreated seed is the usual home start. Sow it one-quarter to one-half inch deep in mix that drains, and keep the surface just moist.
- Sow fresh seed one-quarter to one-half inch deep in mix that drains, or one-eighth inch in heavy clay. Start outdoors in March, or start earlier in a tray.
- If you sow the pod, soak it for 72 hours and change the water often before you plant.
- Move seedlings once they have three sets of true leaves. Keep young plants in light shade until they are set.
- For a cutting, take 4 to 6 inches of soft or semi-hardwood in summer or early fall. Dip the cut end in rooting hormone and keep the mix just moist. Roots form in about 3 to 4 weeks. [4]
Can I grow Texas kidneywood from seed?
Yes. Sow fresh seed one-quarter to one-half inch deep in mix that drains. Keep the surface just moist until seedlings show.
Can I start Texas kidneywood from a cutting?
Yes. Take a 4- to 6-inch cutting of soft or semi-hardwood in summer or early fall, dip it in rooting hormone, and keep the mix just moist.
Cut dead wood in late winter
Texas kidneywood needs little pruning. In late winter, before new growth starts, cut dead or crossing wood. You can thin it over a few seasons if you want a small tree. After a hard freeze, wait until spring growth shows before you cut. The top may die to the ground and still sprout from the base.
- Cut dead or crossing wood in late winter, before new growth starts.
- To train a small tree, take off lower side branches over a few seasons.
- After a hard freeze, wait until you see new growth, then cut only the wood that is dead.
When do I prune Texas kidneywood?
Cut dead or crossing wood in late winter, before new growth starts. After a hard freeze, wait until new growth shows before you cut.
Not Texas mountain laurel — and not beebrush
Texas mountain laurel is a different Texas shrub, with glossy leaves and purple flower clusters. Its seeds are poisonous — see How to Grow Texas Mountain Laurel. Garden mountain laurel is Kalmia, an eastern evergreen — see How to Grow Mountain Laurel. A Texas shrub sold as beebrush or whitebrush is Aloysia, with vanilla-scented flowers — see Types of Aloysia. Confirm the Latin on the tag is Eysenhardtia texana.
Is Texas kidneywood the same as Texas mountain laurel?
No. Texas mountain laurel has glossy leaves and purple clusters. Texas kidneywood has fine compound leaves and white spikes. Read the Latin on the tag.
Is kidneywood the same as beebrush?
This plant is also called bee-brush. A different Texas shrub sold as beebrush or whitebrush is Aloysia. Read the Latin on the tag.
If a hard freeze kills the top, wait until spring growth shows, then cut the dead wood.
FAQ
Do you list Mexican kidneywood or palo azul as this plant?
No. This catalog holds Texas kidneywood, Eysenhardtia texana. Mexican kidneywood is a different species, sold as palo azul.
Can I grow Texas kidneywood on a windowsill?
No. Keep it outdoors in full sun or light shade. A warm indoor sill will not give it the light or the dry air it needs.
What should I plant with Texas kidneywood?
Pair it with other full-sun plants that like soil that drains. Do not crowd it against a wet, shady hedge.
Recommended plants
References
- [1] Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center -
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=EYTE - [2] Dirt Doctor -
https://dirtdoctor.com/library/kidneywood/ - [3] USDA NRCS -
https://plants.sc.egov.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/factsheet/pdf/fs_eyte.pdf - [4] Caesar Kleberg Wildlife Research Institute -
https://www.ckwri.tamuk.edu/plant/texas-kidneywood
More first-season notes by plant are gathered in How to Grow Guides.
Updated: Reviewed by Bosquelle Editors