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Plant care

Hinds' Torchwood (Red Elephant Tree) care

Bursera hindsiana

Also called Hinds' Torchwood, Red Elephant Tree, Torote Prieto, Copal.

RHS H2USDA 9a–11Mildly toxic to petsIndoor 2–5 m (7–16 ft) tall in the wild

Watering rhythm

10-14days

Every 10–14 days in the growing season; very rarely in winter dormancy

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Light

Direct sun (at least 4-6 hours)

Soil

Well-drained cactus mix with at least 50% inorganic material

Humidity

10–40%

Temp

0–40°C

Pet safety

Mildly toxic to pets

Mature size

2–5 m (7–16 ft) tall in the wild

Care at a glance

Light

Aim for at least 4-6 hours of direct sun on the leaves. Requires abundant, bright, direct light. For container plants kept indoors, position within 30 cm of a south-facing window or provide supplementary grow lighting. Insufficient light weakens stem structure and reduces the characteristic trunk development. Full outdoor sun is ideal for in-ground specimens. If your only bright window faces south, that's perfect for hinds' torchwood — same window any aroid would fry on.

Watering

Watering hinds' torchwood: every 10–14 days in the growing season; very rarely in winter dormancy. The number that matters isn't the day of the week — it's how dry the top 2-3 cm of the pot feels. A finger in the soil tells you more than a watering app. After every watering, tip the saucer. Thrives in dry soil with infrequent watering; allow soil to dry out completely between waterings. This species is highly drought-tolerant and very sensitive to root-zone wetness. During winter dormancy, water once a month at most — just enough to prevent complete desiccation.

Soil and pot

Hinds' Torchwood grows best in well-drained cactus mix with at least 50% inorganic material. Use a mix containing 50% or more of pumice, perlite, or coarse gravel blended with standard cactus compost. In its native habitat it grows in rocky desert soils with minimal organic content and instant drainage. Avoid any soil-based or peat-heavy mixes. A pot with a working drainage hole is non-negotiable for this species — even free-draining mix will turn soggy in a closed planter. If you love the look of a decorative pot without a hole, use it as a cachepot around an inner nursery pot you can lift out to water.

Humidity and temperature

Hinds' Torchwood sits happiest at around 10–40% humidity and 0–40°C (32–104°F). Native to the hot, arid coastal desert and well adapted to low humidity. Average indoor humidity is suitable. Avoid placing in humid rooms (bathrooms, kitchens) and ensure good air circulation around the plant year-round. If you keep the room above 0–40°C year-round and avoid placing the plant near a cold draught, a hot radiator, or an air-conditioning vent, you have already handled the two biggest indoor stressors.

Fertilising

Feed hinds' torchwood sparingly. Apply a very dilute, low-nitrogen cactus fertiliser once in spring and once in midsummer. Native to nutrient-poor desert soils; excessive feeding promotes lush but weak, rot-prone growth. Skip fertiliser entirely on a stressed, recently-repotted, or actively wilting plant — fertiliser salts make damage worse, not better. Wait for a round of healthy new growth before resuming a feeding rhythm.

Common problems

Below are the issues we see most often on hinds' torchwood in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.

  • Root rot from overwatering — The most common cultivation error. Excess moisture, especially in cool temperatures, rapidly causes root and stem base rot. Maintain a strictly dry winter regime and ensure the substrate drains instantly.
  • Leaf drop from cold or stress — Leaves are naturally shed during the dry season or in response to cold temperatures. Unexpected leaf drop during the growing season may indicate cold stress, root damage, or overwatering — check root health before adjusting watering.
  • Mealy bugs on new growth — Mealy bugs can colonise the soft new growth at branch tips. Treat at early detection with isopropyl alcohol applied with a cotton swab or a systemic insecticide appropriate for woody succulents.

Propagation

Semi-hardwood cuttings taken in late spring through summer root readily; allow the cut end to callus for 5–7 days before inserting into dry pumice or coarse sand with bottom heat at 25–28°C. Seed can be sown in spring in a warm (28°C) mineral substrate. Cuttings are the faster method for establishing container specimens. Propagation is the cheapest, most satisfying way to expand a collection — and it doubles as insurance against losing a mature plant to an accident. Take a backup cutting once the parent is established and healthy.

Toxicity to pets

Hinds' Torchwood is mildly toxic to pets. Bursera hindsiana is not individually listed by ASPCA. The plant produces aromatic resins typical of the Burseraceae family. The resinous sap may cause mild skin or mucous membrane irritation on contact. No severe documented toxicity to pets, but ingestion of bark or sap by pets should be treated cautiously. Consult a veterinarian if ingestion is suspected. If you keep cats, dogs, or curious children in the house, weigh placement carefully — a high shelf or a hanging planter is enough for casual safety. For severe ingestion incidents, call your local vet and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (in the US, 888-426-4435).

Pet-safety status is sourced from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, which catalogues the most-asked-about plants for cats, dogs, and horses.

Hinds' Torchwood care — frequently asked questions

What is the common name for Bursera hindsiana?

Bursera hindsiana is most commonly called Hinds' Torchwood, but it is also known as Hinds' Torchwood, Red Elephant Tree, Torote Prieto, Copal. The names refer to the same species, so care instructions for Hinds' Torchwood apply identically to anything sold as Red Elephant Tree.

How much light does hinds' torchwood need?

Hinds' Torchwood grows best in direct sun (at least 4-6 hours). Requires abundant, bright, direct light. For container plants kept indoors, position within 30 cm of a south-facing window or provide supplementary grow lighting. Insufficient light weakens stem structure and reduces the characteristic trunk development. Full outdoor sun is ideal for in-ground specimens.

How often should I water hinds' torchwood?

Water hinds' torchwood every 10–14 days in the growing season; very rarely in winter dormancy. Thrives in dry soil with infrequent watering; allow soil to dry out completely between waterings. This species is highly drought-tolerant and very sensitive to root-zone wetness. During winter dormancy, water once a month at most — just enough to prevent complete desiccation. The finger-test (or lifting the pot to feel its weight) beats a fixed weekly calendar because pot size, light, and season all change how fast the soil dries.

Is hinds' torchwood toxic to cats and dogs?

Hinds' Torchwood is mildly toxic to pets. Bursera hindsiana is not individually listed by ASPCA. The plant produces aromatic resins typical of the Burseraceae family. The resinous sap may cause mild skin or mucous membrane irritation on contact. No severe documented toxicity to pets, but ingestion of bark or sap by pets should be treated cautiously. Consult a veterinarian if ingestion is suspected.

What USDA hardiness zone does hinds' torchwood grow in?

Hinds' Torchwood is rated for USDA zone 9a–11 and RHS hardiness H2. Outside that range, grow it as a container plant that overwinters indoors before the first hard frost.

Hinds' Torchwood deep-dive guides

Every aspect of hinds' torchwood care, each with its own calibrated guide:

Featured in these plant shortlists

Hinds' Torchwood qualifies for 4 curated Growli shortlists — each one filtered objectively from our structured plant-care library, so the selection is consistent and checkable:

Related guides

Hinds' Torchwood is also known as Hinds' Torchwood, Red Elephant Tree, Torote Prieto, and Copal.