Overview

Introduce an intoxicating aroma and elegant beauty to your space with the Aglaia Odorata live plant, commonly known as the Chinese Perfume Tree or Chinese Rice Flower. This exquisite evergreen is a small tree from the mahogany family, cherished for its intensely fragrant, tiny yellow flowers. Native to low regions of China and Southeast Asia, the Aglaia odorata plant is a sought-after ornamental specimen that can thrive in American gardens, typically reaching up to 10 feet tall. Its unique blossoms, resembling grains of rice, release a sweet and lemony scent that is particularly strong during the day, making it a delightful addition for anyone seeking a truly special and fragrant plant indoor or out.

The allure of the Chinese Perfume Tree lies not only in its captivating fragrance but also in its delicate appearance. The tiny, ball-shaped yellow flowers, which do not fully open, are borne in panicles 2 to 4 inches long. This plant’s botanical name, Aglaia, is derived from Greek mythology, referring to one of the three Graces, symbolizing its inherent charm and grace. Whether you’re an experienced gardener or just starting, the Aglaia Odorata live plant offers a rewarding experience with its unique characteristics and delightful aroma.

Key Benefits

The Aglaia Odorata live plant offers numerous benefits, making it an excellent choice for both aesthetic appeal and sensory pleasure. Its distinct features contribute significantly to any plant collection or garden design.

• Exceptional Fragrance: The primary draw of the Chinese Perfume Tree is its incredibly potent, sweet, and lemony aroma. The fragrance is strongest during the day, providing a natural air freshener for your home or patio. This makes it an ideal fragrant plant indoor for enthusiasts.
• Unique Bloom Structure: Its tiny, rice-grain-like yellow flowers, which remain closed, are a conversation starter. They add an unusual and delicate texture to the plant’s overall appearance, distinguishing it from other flowering varieties.
• Evergreen Foliage: As an evergreen tree, the Aglaia Odorata maintains its lush green leaves throughout the year, offering continuous beauty and structure to your garden or indoor space, even when not in bloom.
• Compact Growth Habit: The Aglaia odorata plant typically grows as a small tree or large shrub, making it suitable for smaller gardens, containers, or as a specimen plant in larger landscapes. It’s manageable for various garden sizes.
• Ornamental Value: Beyond its scent, the Chinese Perfume Tree is a visually attractive plant, providing a touch of exotic elegance to any setting. Its dense foliage and unique flowers create a focal point.
• Low Maintenance (Once Established): With proper Chinese Perfume Tree care, this plant is relatively easy to maintain, requiring consistent watering and appropriate light conditions to thrive.
• Versatile Placement: Can be grown as a potted houseplant in cooler climates or outdoors in warmer, subtropical regions, offering flexibility in its placement and enjoyment.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Proper Chinese Perfume Tree care is essential to ensure your Aglaia Odorata live plant flourishes and produces its characteristic fragrant blooms. Understanding its needs for light, water, and soil will lead to a healthy, vibrant plant. This species thrives in conditions that mimic its native tropical and subtropical environments.

For optimal growth, the Aglaia odorata plant prefers full sun to partial shade. This means it should receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for full sun exposure, or 2-6 hours of direct sunlight for partial shade. If growing indoors, place it near a bright, south-facing window where it can get ample light. Outdoors, choose a location with morning sun and some afternoon shade, especially in hotter climates, to protect it from intense, scorching rays. Consistent watering is crucial; the soil should be kept moist but never waterlogged. Allow the top inch or two of soil to dry out slightly between waterings, and ensure the pot has good drainage to prevent root rot. Overwatering is a common mistake that can harm this plant, so always check soil moisture before adding more water.

Regarding soil, the Aglaia Odorata live plant requires well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. A good quality potting mix amended with compost or perlite would be ideal for container planting. If planting in the ground, ensure your garden soil drains well; if not, amend it with organic matter to improve drainage. The plant tolerates a range of soil types but performs best in slightly acidic to neutral pH. Fertilize during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-4 weeks. Reduce fertilization in fall and winter when growth slows. The Chinese Perfume Tree is generally suited for USDA Zones 9-11 outdoors. If you live in a colder zone, it’s best to grow it in a pot and bring it indoors during winter, treating it as a fragrant plant indoor. Keep an eye out for common pests like spider mites or mealybugs, especially in dry indoor environments, and treat them promptly with insecticidal soap if necessary.

Size & Details

This offering is for a Aglaia Odorata live plant, commonly known as the Chinese Perfume Tree or Chinese Rice Flower, available in a 4-inch or 6-inch nursery pot. The plant will arrive healthy and well-rooted, ready for transplanting into a larger container or directly into your garden if your climate permits. The exact height will vary depending on the pot size, but typically, a 4-inch pot contains a young plant around 6-10 inches tall, while a 6-inch pot will have a more established plant, generally 10-18 inches tall. In optimal conditions, the Aglaia odorata plant can grow up to 10 feet (3 meters) or under in American gardens, developing into a beautiful small tree or large shrub with a moderate growth rate.

The tiny, yellow, rice-grain-shaped flowers are borne in panicles that are approximately 2 to 4 inches (5-10 cm) long. These flowers are the source of the plant’s characteristic sweet and lemony fragrance. While the plant may not be blooming upon arrival, with proper Chinese Perfume Tree care, you can expect it to produce its fragrant blossoms during its natural blooming season. This plant ships as a live, potted specimen, ensuring minimal transplant shock and a strong start in its new home. Ensure you have adequate space and the right environmental conditions for this delightful rice flower plant to thrive and reach its full potential.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this Aglaia Odorata live plant get?
  
  A: The Chinese Perfume Tree is a small evergreen tree that typically grows to about 10 feet (3 meters) in American gardens. Its size can be managed through pruning if you prefer a more compact form, especially when grown in containers.
• Q: What size pot does it come in?
  
  A: This Aglaia Odorata live plant is available in either a 4-inch or a 6-inch nursery pot. The size you receive will be similar to the pictures, providing a well-rooted plant ready for continued growth.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant?
  
  A: The Aglaia odorata plant can be grown both indoors and outdoors. It thrives outdoors in USDA Zones 9-11. In colder climates, it is best enjoyed as a fragrant plant indoor, brought inside during the cooler months.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need?
  
  A: This plant prefers full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight) to partial shade (2-6 hours of direct sunlight). Ensure it receives adequate light for healthy growth and prolific flowering.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for?
  
  A: With consistent Chinese Perfume Tree care, including proper watering and light, this plant is relatively easy to maintain. It’s a rewarding plant for gardeners of various skill levels, especially those interested in fragrant plants.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in?
  
  A: Your rice flower plant will arrive as a healthy, live potted plant, carefully packaged to ensure its safe journey. It will be similar to the pictures shown, ready for you to nurture.
• Q: How long until it blooms?
  
  A: The blooming time for the Aglaia odorata plant can vary based on growing conditions and maturity. Once established and given proper care, it will typically bloom during its natural season, releasing its sweet fragrance.
• Q: What’s the minimum temperature it can tolerate?
  
  A: The Chinese Perfume Tree is sensitive to cold and prefers warmer climates. It’s best suited for areas where temperatures do not consistently drop below freezing, typically USDA Zone 9 and above. Protect it from frost.
• Q: What does the fragrance of the Aglaia Odorata smell like?
  
  A: The flowers of the Aglaia odorata plant emit a distinctly sweet and lemony fragrance. This delightful aroma is one of the main reasons it is so highly prized as an ornamental plant.
• Q: Does the rice flower plant need special soil?
  
  A: It thrives in well-draining soil that retains some moisture. A good quality potting mix with added organic matter like compost or peat moss is ideal for container growing.