Roostertree (Calotropis procera) is a striking evergreen shrub native to Africa, Madagascar, the Arabian Peninsula, Southern Asia, and Indochina that brings bold architectural presence to warm-climate gardens. This milky-sapped member of the milkweed family grows 6 to 8 feet tall and wide, with showy seasonal flowers and equally dramatic fruiting pods that split open to release wind-blown seed. Hardy in zones 10-11, it thrives in full sun to partial shade and handles drought, poor soils, and salt spray with remarkable resilience, requiring minimal maintenance once established.
Partial Sun
Moderate
10-11
96in H x 96in W
—
Low
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Roostertree earns its common name through its upright, spreading form and the impressive seed pods that explosively discharge their contents when ripe. Its salt tolerance and ability to thrive in poor, dry soils make it exceptionally useful for challenging garden sites where other shrubs struggle. The combination of showy flowers and ornamental pods, plus its natural appeal to butterflies and other pollinators, creates a shrub that functions as both a living sculpture and a pollinator magnet.
Roostertree serves primarily as a hedging plant and ornamental shrub in warm climates where it can reach its full height and spread. Its combination of attractive seasonal blooms and showy fruit pods makes it valuable in landscape designs that benefit from year-round structural interest and visual drama.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Propagate Roostertree by seed or cuttings. Sow seed directly in warm soil conditions.
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“Calotropis procera originated across a vast range spanning Africa, Madagascar, the Arabian Peninsula, Southern Asia, and Indochina, where it evolved to withstand harsh, dry conditions. Its widespread distribution across these regions suggests it has been valued for centuries in traditional uses and landscape plantings. The plant has since been introduced beyond its native range and has naturalized in various parts of the world, becoming an established part of warm-climate horticulture.”