Conocarpus erectus, commonly called buttonwood or button mangrove, is a hardy evergreen tree of the Combretaceae family. Naturally found along tropical coasts of the Americas and West Africa, it has become one of the most extensively used landscaping trees in India, especially across Gujarat, Maharashtra, Rajasthan and other warm, dry regions.
It is valued for its rapid growth, dense green (or silvery in the 'Sericeus' cultivar) foliage, and remarkable tolerance of drought, salinity, pollution and poor soils. It is widely used for road dividers, boundary screens and trimmed hedges because it responds well to repeated pruning.
Note: several Indian states and municipalities have restricted or banned new planting of Conocarpus owing to concerns over its heavy pollen (a reported allergen), aggressive water-seeking roots and high water uptake. Check local regulations before planting in quantity.
Specifications
| Family |
Combretaceae |
| Native region |
Coastal tropical Americas, Caribbean and West Africa |
| Mature height |
6-12 m as a tree; often kept at 1-3 m as a clipped hedge |
| Mature spread |
3-6 m |
| Growth rate |
Fast |
| Foliage |
Evergreen; leathery, narrow green leaves (silvery, hairy leaves in the 'Sericeus' / silver buttonwood form) |
| Flower colour |
Inconspicuous greenish |
| Flower season |
Mostly warm months; can flower through much of the year in tropical India |
| Climate zone |
Tropical and subtropical; highly heat-, drought- and salt-tolerant |
Care guide
| Sunlight |
Full sun; needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight for dense growth |
| Watering |
Drought-tolerant once established; water young plants regularly, then taper to occasional deep watering |
| Soil / mix |
Adapts to most soils including poor, saline, sandy and alkaline soils; needs good drainage |
| Temperature |
Thrives in 20-40 C; loves heat. Sensitive to hard frost |
| Humidity |
Tolerates both dry and humid/coastal conditions |
| Fertilizer |
Light feeder; an annual application of balanced NPK or compost in spring is sufficient |
| Pruning |
Tolerates hard, repeated pruning extremely well; trim to shape hedges and control size |
| Repotting |
Rarely grown in pots; if potted, repot every 1-2 years into a larger container |
| Propagation |
By seed or semi-hardwood stem cuttings |
| Pests & problems |
Generally pest-resistant; occasionally mealybugs or scale |
| Toxicity / safety |
Not documented as a major toxic plant, but its abundant pollen is reported to trigger respiratory allergies and irritation in some people |
| Difficulty |
Easy |
Uses
- Fast-growing avenue, road-divider and shade tree in hot, dry cities
- Dense evergreen privacy screens and trimmed boundary hedges
- Stabilising and greening saline, sandy or degraded coastal soils
- Topiary and formal clipped shapes due to its tolerance of heavy pruning
Growing tips
Plant at the onset of the monsoon (June-July) so young trees establish with natural rainfall before the dry season. Choose an open, sunny spot and water deeply for the first few months until roots establish.
Keep it well away from buildings, drains, sewer lines and compound walls, as its vigorous roots seek water and can damage structures. Trim hedges 2-3 times a year. Before mass planting, confirm it is permitted, as some Indian municipalities have banned new Conocarpus planting.
