Carolina allspice (Calycanthus floridus)

Also known as: Common sweetshrub, Carolina spicebush

The Carolina Allspice (Calycanthus floridus) is known for its reddish-brown flowers that emit a delightful banana-strawberry scent. The leaves release a pleasant aroma when crushed, and the bark also produces a nice fragrance, making all parts of this plant suitable for potpourris.

In This Article

Care Tips Water Sunlight Temperature Soil Fertilize Prune Propagation Repotting Toxicity

Attributes of Carolina allspice

Lifespan

Perennial

Plant Type

Shrub

Plant Height

1.8 m to 2.5 m

Spread

1.8 m to 3.5 m

Leaf Color

Green Yellow Gray Gold Silver

Flower Size

4 cm to 7 cm

Flower Color

Red Brown Black

Images of Carolina allspice

Quickly Identify Carolina allspice

Oppositely arranged, grey-green leaves with pubescent undersides

Solitary maroon flowers with a fruit-like scent of pineapple, strawberry, and banana

Urns-shaped fruit with wrinkled, leathery exterior enclosing small achenes

Stem with a smooth, glabrous surface, emitting a distinctive aroma when bruised

Bark with thin texture, distinctive lenticels, and spicy fragrance upon disturbance

Scientific Classification of Carolina allspice

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Laurales

Family

Sweetshrub

Genus

Sweetshrub

Species

Carolina allspice

Planting and Growing of Carolina allspice

Care Difficulty

Easy

Watering Schedule

Every 4 days

Sunlight Requirements

Partial sun

Sunshine Duration

4-8 hours

Ideal Temperature

50-77℉

Soil Type

Potting Mix, Peat Mix

Soil pH

6.5-7.5

Fertilizer Type

Balanced

Pruning Season

Spring, Summer

Pruning Area

Branches, Leaves

Pruning Frequency

2 times a year

Repotting Season

Spring

Pot Type

Plastic, Ceramic

How to Water Carolina allspice?

The suggested amount of water for Calycanthus floridus is around 500 ml per watering session. The soil should remain consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water until you notice slight moisture on the surface, ensuring the soil isn't drenched beyond its saturation point.

What are the symptoms of an underwatered Carolina allspice? ›

What should I do if my Carolina allspice is not getting enough water? ›

What are the symptoms of an overwatered Carolina allspice? ›

How to save an overwatered Carolina allspice? ›

What Are the Sunlight Requirements for Carolina allspice?

Sunlight Requirements: Partial sun

Duration of light: 3 to 5 hours

Calycanthus floridus thrives in partial sun, where it receives balanced light, enhancing photosynthesis and bloom production while reducing stress.

What is the best lighting condition? ›

How can I achieve ideal lighting? ›

What are the benefits of ideal lighting? ›

What Is the Ideal Temperature Range for Carolina allspice?

Ideal Temperature: 50 ~ 77℉

For optimal growth of Calycanthus floridus, maintaining a temperature range between 50°F and 77°F is recommended. This range supports enzymatic activities and physiological processes essential for its growth. Maintaining these temperatures ensures healthy flowering and leaf development.

What Soil is Best for Carolina allspice?

Soil type: Loam, Sandy loam

Soil PH: 6.5 ~ 7.5

Calycanthus floridus thrives in well-draining soil, which helps prevent root rot and waterlogging. This soil condition allows the roots to breathe and uptake essential nutrients more effectively, leading to a healthier and more vigorous plant. Incorporating organic matter into the soil is vital for Calycanthus floridus. It enhances the soil's fertility, provides a balanced supply of nutrients, and improves moisture retention, which supports sustained growth. Ensuring the soil maintains moderate moisture levels is crucial for Calycanthus floridus. While the plant does not tolerate soggy conditions, consistent moisture supports its lush foliage and robust flowering.

How to Fertilize Carolina allspice?

Fertilizer type: Balanced

When fertilizing Calycanthus floridus, aim to apply a balanced liquid fertilizer at a concentration of half the manufacturer's recommended rate. This ensures that the plant gets an adequate supply of nutrients without the risk of over-fertilization. Adjust according to plant response and seasonal growth variations.

How to Prune Carolina allspice?

Pruning Time: Spring, Summer

Start by using well-maintained, sharp pruning shears to avoid causing any damage to the branches. Identify dead, diseased, or crossing branches first and remove them completely, cutting back to healthy wood. Focus on maintaining an open structure by thinning out crowded branches to improve air circulation. To shape, prune back selective branches just above a leaf node to encourage new growth in a preferred direction. Work systematically from the base of the plant upwards while regularly stepping back to gauge the overall symmetry of the bush.

How to Propagate Carolina allspice plant?

Propagate Time: Spring,Early spring,Late spring

Harvest seeds in autumn once the seed pods are mature and dry. Ensure seeds are clean and dry before storage for winter or immediate sowing.

Select healthy stems from a mature Calycanthus floridus during the growing season. Make sure each cutting is about 6 inches long and remove the leaves from the lower half.

Before dividing a mature plant, prepare a well-draining soil mix. Enrich the soil with organic matter to support the growth of newly divided plant sections.

How to Repot Carolina allspice plant?

Repotting frequency: Every 2 to 3 years

Calycanthus floridus, or the Carolina Allspice, should be repotted when its roots have filled the current container, or when drainage issues start arising. A clear signal can be yellowing leaves due to restricted root growth. Spring is the best time for this, as it allows the plant to recover and establish itself in the new pot before the growing season kicks into full gear.

For a successful repotting, choose a pot that is only slightly larger than the current one, perhaps 2 inches wider in diameter. This ensures the roots have room to grow but not so much space that the soil retains excessive moisture. The material of the pot should provide good drainage, like terracotta, which offers breathability and prevents root rot.

Calycanthus floridus thrives in a well-draining soil rich in organic matter. The ideal mix would consist of loamy soil with an added portion of perlite or coarse sand to improve drainage. This combination ensures a balance of moisture retention and air circulation, which helps in robust root development and overall health.

Toxicity of Carolina allspice

Is Carolina allspice toxic to humans?

The Carolina allspice is a poisonous plant that can cause adverse effects if ingested by humans. The symptoms may vary in severity but can be moderate. The seeds are the toxic components, harboring dangerous substances known as calycanthine. Consuming these seeds may lead to symptoms like convulsions, a drop in blood pressure, and myocardial depression, which impacts heart tissue. Given that this plant is frequently utilized as an ornamental feature in gardens, there is a risk that children may inadvertently eat the seeds.

Is Carolina allspice toxic to cat?

Carolina allspice poses a low toxicity risk to cats. If cats ingest a significant amount of the plant's seeds, they may become poisoned. Contact with carolina allspice can result in cats displaying signs of physical unease, although the intensity of symptoms may differ based on the quantity consumed. Should there be any indications of poisoning, it is essential for cat owners to promptly consult a veterinary professional to address any potential health complications. Although the toxicity is mild, preventing cats from accessing the seeds of carolina allspice remains crucial for their safety and well-being.

Is Carolina allspice toxic to dog?

Carolina allspice carries a mild risk of toxicity for dogs. Although the plant itself is not overly toxic, consuming substantial amounts, especially the seeds, can result in poisoning in dogs. If a dog eats a considerable quantity of carolina allspice seeds, it may show symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy. These symptoms suggest possible poisoning and necessitate immediate veterinary care. Dog owners need to be alert and ensure their pets do not have access to areas where carolina allspice flourishes to prevent accidental ingestion of its toxic parts. Should a dog ingest any parts of carolina allspice, it is essential to seek timely treatment at a veterinary clinic to safeguard the health and welfare of the animal.

WARNING

The judgment on toxicity and danger is for reference only. We DO NOT GUARANTEE any accuracy of such judgment. Therefore, you SHALL NOT rely on such judgment. It is IMPORTANT TO SEEK PROFESSIONAL ADVICE in advance when necessary.