How to Grow Duranta Hedge - Plant Care & Tips

By NorwichGardener Team / 2025

Duranta hedge is a species of flowering shrub in the family Verbenaceae, native to the Americas. The hedge plant is grown for its ornamental value, and its hedge can be used for privacy or decoration. The hedge plant is also known as the golden dewflower, pigeon berry, or sky flower.

How to Grow Duranta Hedge - Plant Care & Tips

Also known as

pigeon berry
sky flower
wild cigar
tree dahlia
geisha girl

Things to Know

A duranta hedge can provide a beautiful, tropical look to your landscape.
They are fast-growing, evergreen shrubs that can reach up to 15 feet in height.
Duranta hedges are drought-tolerant and can thrive in full sun or partial shade.
These shrubs are relatively low-maintenance, but may require pruning to keep them in shape.
Duranta hedges are susceptible to several pests and diseases, including scale insects and powdery mildew.
They are also attractive to birds, which can help control insect populations in your garden.
Duranta hedges can be used to create privacy screens or windbreaks.
They can also be used to accentuate other features in your landscape, such as water features or statues.
When planting a duranta hedge, be sure to space the plants at least 3 feet apart to allow room for growth.
Duranta hedges can add beauty and value to your home, but should be carefully planned and installed to avoid problems down the road.

Related plant:
Golden Duranta

How to Grow

For duranta hedge, first step is to find a location that receives full sun.
Then, clear the area of any debris or weeds.
Next, till the soil to a depth of 6 inches.
After that, rake the area smooth.
Then, water the area deeply.
Next, set out your duranta plants.
After that, dig a hole for each plant that is twice as wide and just as deep as the plants root ball.
Next, place the plant in the hole.
After that, backfill the hole with soil.
Finally, water the plants deeply.

Considering the Soil

About soil condition, duranta hedge can be planted in almost any type of soil as long as it is well-drained. However, they prefer sandy or loamy soils that are slightly acidic. If the soil is too alkaline, it can cause the leaves to turn yellow.

Light condition

Similar to other plants, the duranta hedge will require a good amount of sunlight in order to grow properly. Without enough sunlight, the duranta hedge will not be able to produce the food it needs to survive. If you live in an area with little sunlight, you may need to supplement the duranta hedge with artificial light.

The Temperature

The temperature condition that is best for duranta hedge is warm weather. They can handle some cold weather, but it is best to keep them in warmer temperatures. If the temperature gets too cold, the leaves will start to turn brown and fall off.

Humidity Level

Ideal humidity condition for this plant is 50% and above. The leaves of this plant will droop and fall off if the humidity drops below 50%. If you live in an area with low humidity, you can increase the humidity around your plant by placing it on a pebble tray or grouping it with other plants.

Fertilizing

Mentioning fertilizer, this plant is not a heavy feeder. However, some compost or top dressing in early spring is beneficial. Root rots can be a problem if the plant is in poorly drained soil. If you suspect this is the case, try to improve drainage by mixing in some organic matter. If the problem persists, you may need to replace the plant.

Light requirement

Pruning is an important part of caring for your duranta hedge. Pruning helps to promote new growth, keeps the hedge looking tidy, and can help to control the size of the hedge. When pruning your duranta hedge, be sure to use sharp, clean pruners. Make sure to prune any dead or damaged branches first, and then prune any branches that are growing out of bounds. Be sure to leave some leaves on the branches so that the plant can photosynthesize and produce food for the hedge.

The Propagation

Propagation is typically done by rooting stem cuttings taken from the desired plant. The cuttings should be taken from new growth and be around 4-6 inches long. The bottom inch or so of the cutting should be placed in a rooting hormone before being placed in a well-draining potting mix. The pot should be kept moist and in a bright, warm location until roots have developed and the plant is ready to be transplanted.

Growth Rate

Usually, the plant growth rate during the spring and summer when the weather is warm and there is plenty of rainfall. The plant can grow up to 3 feet in a single growing season. To encourage new growth, fertilize your duranta hedge in early spring with a slow-release fertilizer.

Common Problems

Common problems for this kind of plant are scale and spider mites. These pests can be controlled with weekly applications of horticultural oil or insecticidal soap. Another problem that may occur is leaf spot, which is caused by a fungus. This can be treated with a fungicide.

List to Know

If you're growing duranta hedge in containers, make sure they have drainage holes.
Place duranta hedge in a location that receives full sun.
Water duranta hedge regularly, being careful not to overwater.
Fertilize duranta hedge every few weeks with a balanced fertilizer.
Prune duranta hedge regularly to encourage new growth.
Keep an eye out for pests and diseases, and treat accordingly.
Mulch duranta hedge to help retain moisture and prevent weeds.
Be patient - it can take a few years for duranta hedge to reach its full potential.
Once duranta hedge is established, it is relatively drought-tolerant.
Enjoy your beautiful duranta hedge!