The linden tree owes its name to our native deciduous tree thanks to its large, heart-shaped leaves. After a few years in obscurity, the woody plant, which comes from Africa, is beginning to blossom back into a more well-known houseplant. The following is about their cultivation.
How do I properly care for a linden tree?
The linden tree (Sparrmannia africana) is a decorative plant with heart-shaped leaves that originally comes from South Africa. It prefers cool, bright locations without direct sunlight and requires regular watering and fertilization during the growth phase. Propagation is possible through cuttings or seeds.
Origin
The most common species of the linden tree genus in this country, the Sparrmannia africana, already reveals it: the plant originally comes from the African continent. Its German name “Capean linden tree” also suggests this.
It was discovered and introduced to Europe in the 18th century by the Swedish doctor and botanist Anders Sparrmann. Its name is immortalized in the botanical name of the plant. Later it was Carl von Linné junior, the son of the famous Swedish botanist and naturalist of the same name, who described and established the genus.
As a plant from the African south, the linden tree is adapted to a bright, medium-humid and comparatively cool habitat. Unlike many other houseplants that come from Africa and are cultivated in this country, their original environment is not a tropical one. A year-round room culture can be achieved without any problems.
Origin in keywords:
- Zimmerlinde comes from South Africa
- Original habitat rather cool, medium humidity and bright
- Discovered and introduced to Europe by Anders Sparrmann
- Described by Carl von Linné Jr.
Growth
The habitus of Sparrmannia, which belongs to the mallow family, is shrub-like to tree-like. With its widely branching shoots, it forms a very spreading crown over a more or less pronounced trunk. In its homeland, the linden tree can grow up to 7 m high, but in the local indoor culture it is content with a maximum of 3 meters, due to the lower light availability and the constant need for pruning.
Growth characteristics at a glance:
- Shrub to tree-like habit
- Forms a widely branched, spreading crown
- Can grow up to 7 m high in the original habitat, here only 3 m
leaves
The leaves of Sparrmannia are the main factor for its common German name “Zimmerlinde”. Because with their large, heart-shaped appearance and their light green color, they are actually clearly reminiscent of the leaves of real linden trees.
If you look closely, you can see a few differences: First of all, as the leaf contours get older, they become shaped by angular bulges at the front edge - such a shape is not typical of any type of linden tree. In addition, due to their slightly raised veins, linden leaves have a wavier, less fine and smooth surface texture than linden leaves. However, they still have a delicate consistency and are also densely hairy.
The leaf edges are serrated. Overall, the leaves can reach an impressive length and width of up to 20 centimeters. The stems also get about the same length.
Leaf properties in brief:
- Heart-shaped, large-scale shape is reminiscent of linden leaves
- With pointed, front bulges in older age
- Light green color
- Slightly wavy surface texture, densely hairy
- Up to 20 cm long and wide
Flowers
If you generally cultivate the indoor linden tree in a cool place and don't cut it back in spring, you can enjoy very pretty flowers throughout the winter and spring months. They have delicate, white petals and a large, yolk-yellow and rusty-brown bush made up of many, long stamens. The individual flowers, which stand upright when they open, are grouped together in large umbels.
Flower properties at a glance:
- Appear more frequently with cool cultivation and moderate pruning
- Large, pretty appearance with white petals and yolk-yellow-brown stamen cluster
- Stand together in large clusters
When is flowering time?
The individual flowers of the linden tree have a relatively short residence time - but the entire flowering period is even longer. New flowers can open on the umbels at least from November to May. By consistently cutting them off after they have bloomed, you can stimulate their regrowth. If cultivated in a permanently cool place, the indoor linden tree can bloom all year round.
To remember:
- Flowering time of the individual flowers is only short
- Flowering period long overall: from November to May or all year round
Fruit
If you maintain a frequent exchange of air between inside and outside in your home and can allow enough insects to visit your linden tree, the chance of pollination of the flowers is higher. However, aiming for fruit formation makes sense especially if you plan to propagate using your own seeds.
The fruits have a capsule-like shape and are surrounded by a spiny shell, which is actually used for removal and further transport by animals.
Which location is suitable?
According to its home on the South African coast, Sparrmannia prefers a location that is comparatively cool and airy for houseplants. She prefers 15 to 18°C - if you always like it cozy and warm at home, you might get into a bit of trouble here. In order not to have to do without the impressive foliage plant in this case, a location in the stairwell could also be an option.
The Sparrmannia wants a lot of light, but not direct sunlight. If possible, shade them with other plants or a light fabric when standing on an east or west-facing window sill.
In summer you can also put the linden tree outside.
The humidity should be relatively high.
Location requirements at a glance:
- Bright, but without direct sunlight
- Rather cool: 15-18 °C
- Quite high humidity
What soil does the plant need?
The nutrient requirements of Sparrmannia are medium-high. It is best to place them in a mixture of normal potting soil and a small amount of mature compost and/or a handful of horn shavings. A little loosening with sand is also recommended.
It is also possible to keep them hydroponically with a soilless substrate made of expanded clay and a permanent water-nutrient foot bath. This variant can be a solution especially for offices or for people who are at home irregularly.
Watering the linden tree
When it comes to water, the linden tree needs a lot of attention. If you don't want to water constantly, hydroponics is a good choice. You need to provide them with plenty of water, especially during the main vegetation phase over the spring and summer months. Waterlogging should still be avoided - so make sure that the substrate ball is always dry before each watering and that no water remains permanently in the saucer. The humidity-loving linden tree is not averse to an occasional shower from the water disperser.
In winter, reduce watering a little.
To remember:
- Zimmerlinde relatively thirsty
- Needs regular, generous watering
- However, avoid waterlogging
- Spraying is good for her
- Water less in winter
Fertilize the linden tree properly
Due to its high nutrient requirements, it doesn't hurt to fertilize the linden tree regularly throughout the growth phase. To do this, simply use a universal liquid fertilizer that you add to the irrigation water every two weeks. When potting, the substrate should be enriched with organic permanent fertilizer in the form of compost and horn shavings.
During the winter break, reduce the additional fertilizer application to a maximum of once every three weeks or stop it completely.
Fertilizer recommendations coming soon:
- Regular fertilization of the linden tree makes sense due to its relatively high nutrient requirements
- Apply liquid fertilizer every 2 weeks in summer and autumn
- Long-term nutrient supply through compost/horn shavings in the substrate
- In winter, fertilize no more than every 3 weeks or not at all
Cut linden tree correctly
The profusely branching Sparrmannia needs regular pruning care if it is not to completely take over the room in the long term. However, it is not particularly cut-tolerant. For this reason alone, it is advisable to wait until the plant has reached an excessive size and width before trimming, rather than shortening it slightly on a regular basis. Also because it blooms much more profusely if it is not constantly disturbed by pruning, you should refrain from shortening the shoots every year.
So the rule is: radical pruning if necessary for reasons of space, otherwise only cut off dead flowers. The radical pruning should be carried out in winter.read more
Wintering
The Sparrmannia can basically be in the same location all year round, as long as it has conditions that are as species-appropriate as possible. This means: quite cool, rather below living standards, as bright as possible without direct sun and good humidity.
The winter months require a few changes in care. So you should noticeably reduce both watering and fertilizing.read more
Propagate linden tree
The easiest way to propagate a linden tree is through cuttings. But sowing is also possible.
Cuttings
With this method, you cut head cuttings about 15 centimeters long from the upper crown area. Free the lower area generously from leaves. You can simply root the cuttings in water or in a growing substrate made of peat and sand, which you then have to keep moist regularly. You should place the cutting in a warm, bright place protected from direct sun.
Seed cultivation
Alternatively, you can also grow a linden tree from seeds. If your mother plant has produced fruit, you can use your own seeds, but some are also available from specialist retailers. The seeds are first soaked in water for at least 6 hours before they are placed in planters with potting soil and covered with a little sand. It is best to cover the planters with foil to ensure an evenly moist and protected microclimate. The seeds need a lot of brightness and warmth to germinate, around 25°C is ideal.
The seedlings should appear after about two weeks. Then lift the foil to give the young plants air and grow them to a size of around 5 centimeters. They can then be pricked.read more
offshoot
See “Propagate – Cuttings” section.read more
Diseases
Fortunately, the linden tree is not often affected by diseases and pests. Care errors are more likely to be responsible for any weaknesses, such as a location that is too dark or waterlogging. In the latter case, root rot or mold may form, which the plant will indicate with yellow and falling leaves. In this case, the root ball must be cleaned thoroughly and placed in a fresh substrate.read more
Pests
The linden tree doesn't want to be too warm and dry. Of course, this can happen in a heated room. In this case, it becomes more susceptible to well-known heat and drought-loving pests such as whiteflies and scale or mealybugs.
The best way to get rid of a whitefly infestation is to use sticky yellow tablets. The best way to combat scale insects and mealybugs is first by wiping them mechanically and then spraying with a mixture of alcohol, soap and water (€117.00 at Amazon).
Tip
Because of its sprawling growth, it is recommended to place the linden tree in a large clay planter. This ensures sufficient stability. Plus, you don't need to repot as often.
Varieties
Of the approximately 7 different species of the Sparrmannia genus, only Sparrmannia africana, the Cape Lime tree, is relevant in this country. A few cultivars have emerged from this species, which differ quite a bit from each other in their appearance. So you have a selection that is not particularly numerous in terms of numbers, but is quite diverse. The best-known varieties are the S. a. Variegata, the S. a. Flore Pleno and the S. a. Nana.
Sparrmannia africana Variegata
The special feature of this variety is the whitish variegation of the leaves. It appears in a rather irregular structure on the distinctively veined foliage, which lovers of symmetry will certainly be less pleased with. Even more so for fans of extraordinary leaf decoration phenomena. The leaves have a heart shape that is at least threefold, if not fivefold, pointed - in the latter case, their contour is more reminiscent of maple leaves than of lime leaves.
Depending on the coolness of the location, the variety can show its white flowers with a yellow-reddish-brown center all year round.
Overall, the S. a. Variegata up to about 3.50 m high and grows very bushy.
Sparrmannia africana Flore Pleno
The name of this variety already reveals what is so special about it: The flowers are double and usually appear in the spring and summer months in large, delicately structured, feathery hemispheres with numerous white petals that turn yolk yellow in the center Skip the old pink ones. This makes it certainly the most magnificent of the indoor linden varieties.
Its foliage leaves the stage to the lush flowers and appears in a simple, light matt green and with a contour that has several pointed bulges. Their veining is somewhat more delicate than that of the S. a. Variegata, when they reach an advanced age and reach a certain size, they can hang slightly over the stem.
The S. a. In contrast to her fellow varieties, Flore Pleno wants to be sunny. The fast-growing plant can reach 3 or 4 m in height and 2 to 4 m in width.
Sparrmannia africana Nana
The S. a. Nana is a dwarf variety. It is therefore particularly suitable for indoor linden fans who do not want to carry out any radical pruning in order to be able to keep the plant in the room permanently. The undouble flowers are white and can appear all year round.
