Yellow apricot blossom (hoa mai) Ochna integerrima
Yellow apricot blossom (hoa mai) (Ochna integerrima) is a deciduous perennial shrub in the Ochnaceae family, native to Indochina to Malaysia. It grows 2–6 m (6.6–20 ft) tall and 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about 5 °C (41 °F). Space plants about 2 m (6.6 ft) apart.
Plan Yellow apricot blossom (hoa mai) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Yellow apricot blossom (hoa mai) at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Ochnaceae |
| Mature height | 2–6 m (6.6–20 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) |
| Spacing | 2 m (6.6 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About 5 °C (41 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 11) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 38 °C (100 °F) |
| Flowering | from about January for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Indochina to Malaysia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇻🇳 Vietnam, 🇹🇭 Thailand |
Is Yellow apricot blossom (hoa mai) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported in 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 Yellow apricot blossom (hoa mai)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Questions about Yellow apricot blossom (hoa mai)
- How far apart should I plant Yellow apricot blossom (hoa mai)?
- About 2 m (6.6 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft).
- Does Yellow apricot blossom (hoa mai) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Yellow apricot blossom (hoa mai) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Yellow apricot blossom (hoa mai)?
- It tolerates about 5 °C (41 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 11.
- When does Yellow apricot blossom (hoa mai) flower?
- From about January for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Yellow apricot blossom (hoa mai) 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 standard poison references.
- What grows well with Yellow apricot blossom (hoa mai)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Yellow apricot blossom (hoa mai). 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
- Flora & Fauna Web, National Parks Board, Singapore
Notes and assumptions
- Southern Vietnam’s Tết flower: growers strip the leaves about a month before New Year so it blooms on time. Red sepals stay round black fruits.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Bigleaf hydrangea Hydrangea macrophylla
- Rhododendron Rhododendron
- Boxwood Buxus sempervirens
- Oleander Nerium oleander
- Common ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius
- Camellia Camellia japonica
- Gardenia Gardenia jasminoides
- Common lilac Syringa vulgaris