Light. Grows in full sun to light shade.
Water. Water regularly while it settles in. It likes moist soil but handles short dry spells once established.
Soil and feeding. It grows in moist, well-drained sandy or limestone soil, acidic or alkaline, and does best with some organic matter on top.
Size. Usually 4–15 ft as a shrub. Grown as a tree it slowly reaches 15–35 ft. Older plants take a vase shape once lower branches are removed.
Pruning. It works as a hedge, screen or border, or limb it up into a small patio tree.
Problems to watch. The fiddlewood leafroller caterpillar can strip the leaves. Plants set alone are hit less than plants in groups.
Good to know. A Florida native. Butterflies and bees visit the flowers, and it feeds and shelters wildlife. Salty wind can burn the leaves.
Sources: UF/IFAS EDIS: Citharexylum spinosum, Fiddlewood · Natives for Your Neighborhood (Institute for Regional Conservation): Citharexylum spinosum
