Big-leaf mahogany Swietenia macrophylla
Big-leaf mahogany (Swietenia macrophylla) is an evergreen perennial tree in the Meliaceae family, native to Tropical America (Mexico to the Amazon). It grows 25–40 m (82–131 ft) tall and 12–20 m (39–66 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about 4 °C (39 °F). Space plants about 10 m (33 ft) apart.
Plan Big-leaf mahogany in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Big-leaf mahogany at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Meliaceae |
| Mature height | 25–40 m (82–131 ft) |
| Mature spread | 12–20 m (39–66 ft) |
| Spacing | 10 m (33 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 6–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 4 °C (39 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 40 °C (104 °F) |
| Flowering | from about April for 4–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Tropical America (Mexico to the Amazon) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇵🇪 Peru |
Is Big-leaf mahogany toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Big-leaf mahogany
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
See Big-leaf mahogany in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro (1 plants)
- Na ʻĀina Kai Botanical Gardens (4 plants)
Questions about Big-leaf mahogany
- How far apart should I plant Big-leaf mahogany?
- About 10 m (33 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 12–20 m (39–66 ft).
- Does Big-leaf mahogany need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Big-leaf mahogany need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Big-leaf mahogany?
- It tolerates about 4 °C (39 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10.
- When does Big-leaf mahogany flower?
- From about April for 4–9 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Big-leaf mahogany poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
- What grows well with Big-leaf mahogany?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Big-leaf mahogany. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, IUCN
- Plant database and Hawaiian native plants, National Tropical Botanical Garden (Kauaʻi)
Notes and assumptions
- Tropical: outdoors only where frost never occurs; elsewhere under heated glass.
- Upright woody seed capsules release winged seeds; Vulnerable (IUCN) from logging; trade CITES-listed.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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