Repotting guide

When & how to repot Ivory Tree (Wrightia antidysenterica)

Also called Ivory Tree, Easter Tree, Arctic Snow, Snowflake Tree, Ceylon Tagar.

More about ivory tree

About Ivory Tree

Wrightia antidysenterica · also called Ivory Tree, Easter Tree · tropical

Wrightia antidysenterica is a compact tropical shrub native to South and Southeast Asia, prized for its clouds of small, brilliantly white, star-shaped flowers that bloom profusely across most of the year in warm climates. It is adaptable, low-maintenance, and well-suited to container growing. All parts of the plant contain irritant alkaloids typical of the Apocynaceae family — handle with care around pets.

Mature size: 1.5–3 m tall (5–10 ft) and 1–2 m wide in the ground; typically 60–120 cm in containers

How to tell ivory tree needs repotting

Repotting on a calendar is less reliable than reading the plant. For ivory tree, watch for these signs:

Roots poking out of the drainage holes or coiling visibly around the inside of the pot.
You are watering far more often than you used to because the rootball dries out within a day or two.
Water runs straight through and out the bottom without soaking in.
Top growth has slowed or new ivory tree leaves are noticeably smaller than older ones despite good light.

For the underlying biology of a pot-bound root system and why it stalls a plant, see our guide to spotting and fixing a root-bound plant.

How often to repot ivory tree

Every 12–18 months — sooner if roots show fast. Ivory Tree's growth habit — compact, dense evergreen shrub with opposite, dark-green ovate-acuminate leaves; bushy, low-branching habit; blooms profusely and near-continuously in warm climates with minimal pruning — sets the pace. Wrightia antidysenterica is a compact tropical shrub native to South and Southeast Asia, prized for its clouds of small, brilliantly white, star-shaped flowers that bloom profusely across most of the year in warm climates. It is adaptable, low-maintenance, and well-suited to container growing. All parts of the plant contain irritant alkaloids typical of the Apocynaceae family — handle with care around pets.

What size pot to step ivory tree up to

Step up one pot size — about 2–3 cm (an inch) wider. Ivory Tree grows fast, so it will fill that space within a season, but jumping several sizes at once still backfires: the unused soil stays soggy and rots even a vigorous root system. One size at a time, every year or so, is the rhythm.

Not sure of the exact diameter? Our pot size calculator takes the current pot and root spread and tells you the right next size — it deliberately recommends a single step up, never a big jump.

The best time of year to repot ivory tree

Early spring, just as new growth restarts, is the ideal window for ivory tree. The plant is moving into its strongest growth phase and re-roots into fresh soil quickly. Avoid repotting in winter dormancy or, for flowering plants, while it is in bud or bloom — recovery is slowest then and you risk dropping the flowers.

Step-by-step: repotting ivory tree

Time it for spring. Repot ivory tree in early spring as growth restarts so it re-roots quickly into the fresh soil.
Choose one size up. Pick a pot about 2–3 cm wider with drainage holes. One step only — a much bigger pot stays soggy and rots roots.
Ease the plant out. Water lightly the day before, then tip ivory tree out and gently loosen any roots circling the bottom of the rootball.
Repot at the same depth. Put a layer of fresh well-draining loamy or slightly sandy soil in the new pot, set the plant so its soil line is unchanged, and backfill, firming lightly.
Water and pause feeding. Water once to settle the soil. Hold off fertiliser for about a month — fresh mix already has nutrients and feeding now burns new roots.

Aftercare

Water ivory tree once to settle the soil, then let the surface dry before watering again — fresh mix around the roots stays wetter than the old compacted ball, so the commonest post-repot mistake is overwatering. Keep it out of direct sun for a week or two while roots re-establish. Do not fertilise for about 4 weeks — fresh mix already carries nutrients and feeding freshly disturbed roots scorches them.

The right soil mix for ivory tree

Ivory Tree wants well-draining loamy or slightly sandy soil. Adapts to a wide range of soils but performs best in well-draining, fertile loam. A general-purpose potting mix amended with 20% perlite is suitable for containers. Avoid heavy clay that retains moisture. pH 6.0–7.5. Always use fresh mix when you repot — reusing old, broken-down soil reintroduces the compaction and poor drainage you are repotting to fix.

Repotting ivory tree — frequently asked questions

How often should you repot ivory tree?

Every 12–18 months — sooner if roots show fast for ivory tree. Repot ivory tree roughly every 12–18 months, in early spring as growth restarts. It grows fast and circles its pot quickly, so step up one size (about 2–3 cm wider) into fresh well-draining loamy or slightly sandy soil. Don't jump several sizes — that soggy excess soil is what rots vigorous roots.

What size pot does ivory tree need?

When is the best time of year to repot ivory tree?

Can you put ivory tree straight into a much bigger pot?

No. Even a fast-growing ivory tree should only go up one pot size at a time. A vastly oversized pot holds a reservoir of wet soil the roots cannot reach, which stays cold and soggy and rots the roots — the opposite of what you wanted.

Should you fertilise ivory tree after repotting?

Not immediately. Wait about 4 weeks after repotting ivory tree. Fresh mix already contains nutrients, and feeding freshly cut or disturbed roots burns them. Resume your normal feeding routine once you see new growth.