Nepalese paper plant (lokta daphne) Daphne bholua
Nepalese paper plant (lokta daphne) (Daphne bholua) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Thymelaeaceae family, native to Himalaya (Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan) to south-west China. It grows 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) tall and 1–1.5 m (3.3–4.9 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -15 °C (5 °F). Space plants about 1.2 m (3.9 ft) apart.
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Nepalese paper plant (lokta daphne) at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Thymelaeaceae |
| Mature height | 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1–1.5 m (3.3–4.9 ft) |
| Spacing | 1.2 m (3.9 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 4 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -15 °C (5 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 7) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 30 °C (86 °F) |
| Flowering | from about January for 6–10 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Himalaya (Nepal, Sikkim, Bhutan) to south-west China |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇮🇪 Ireland, 🇳🇿 New Zealand, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇮🇳 India |
Is Nepalese paper plant (lokta daphne) toxic?
- People: severely toxic
- Cats: severely toxic
- Dogs: severely toxic
- Parts: all parts, especially berries and bark, sap
All daphnes are poisonous: berries and bark cause burning of the mouth, vomiting and worse; the sap irritates skin.
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 Nepalese paper plant (lokta daphne)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
Questions about Nepalese paper plant (lokta daphne)
- How far apart should I plant Nepalese paper plant (lokta daphne)?
- About 1.2 m (3.9 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1–1.5 m (3.3–4.9 ft).
- Does Nepalese paper plant (lokta daphne) need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 4 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Nepalese paper plant (lokta daphne) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Nepalese paper plant (lokta daphne)?
- It tolerates about -15 °C (5 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 7.
- When does Nepalese paper plant (lokta daphne) flower?
- From about January for 6–10 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Nepalese paper plant (lokta daphne) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is severely toxic; for dogs severely toxic; for people severely toxic. All daphnes are poisonous: berries and bark cause burning of the mouth, vomiting and worse; the sap irritates skin.
- What grows well with Nepalese paper plant (lokta daphne)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Nepalese paper plant (lokta daphne). Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- Flora of Nepal (online flora and checklist), Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh with Nepalese and international partners
- RHS Find a Plant (plant profiles and growing guides), Royal Horticultural Society
Notes and assumptions
- A plant of the cool, misty Himalayan and west Chinese mountains: it wants moist, humus-rich soil and shelter from hot sun and drying wind, and sulks in hot, humid summers.
- An upright shrub with clusters of pink-and-white flowers in midwinter whose scent carries across the garden; ‘Jacqueline Postill’ is the best-known form. In Nepal its inner bark is the raw material of handmade lokta paper.
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
- Winter daphne Daphne odora
- Paperbush (mitsumata) Edgeworthia chrysantha
- Garland flower (rose daphne) Daphne cneorum
- Bigleaf hydrangea Hydrangea macrophylla
- Rhododendron Rhododendron
- Boxwood Buxus sempervirens
- Oleander Nerium oleander
- Common ninebark Physocarpus opulifolius