Arabian Frankincense
Boswellia sacra
Family: | Burseraceae |
Genus: | Boswellia (bos-WELL-ee-a) (Info) |
Species: | sacra |
Category:
Trees
Water Requirements:
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Sun Exposure:
Full Sun
Foliage:
Deciduous
Foliage Color:
Height:
6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m)
15-20 ft. (4.7-6 m)
Spacing:
30-40 ft. (9-12 m)
over 40 ft. (12 m)
Hardiness:
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Where to Grow:
Can be grown as an annual
Danger:
N/A
Bloom Color:
Pale Yellow
Bright Yellow
White/Near White
Cream/Tan
Bloom Characteristics:
Bloom Size:
Bloom Time:
Other details:
Soil pH requirements:
7.9 to 8.5 (alkaline)
Patent Information:
Non-patented
Propagation Methods:
From woody stem cuttings
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
Seed Collecting:
Regional
This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:
Phoenix, Arizona
San Francisco, California
Miami, Florida
Gardeners' Notes:
Rating | Content |
---|---|
Neutral | On Sep 24, 2020, ralphja from Kent, I grew my Boswellia from seeds via The Netherlands, one successful germination from five seeds. It is in a pot, indoors, and grows very slowly. I will experiment adjusting the alkalinity of the soil. |
Neutral | On Aug 14, 2014, GardenGrandpa from Ridgecrest, CA wrote: Germination information: |
Neutral | On May 13, 2014, TreekeeperChar from San Diego, CA wrote: I just received Frankincense seeds from MiniaTree in AZ. I am now in need of info on how to best attempt germination. |
Positive | On Feb 22, 2014, DavidLMo from St Joseph, MO wrote: A good source for many different Commiphora (C.), Boswellia (B.) and Bursera is Sacred Succulents in Sebastapol CA. |
Positive | On Apr 14, 2013, azant from Phoenix, AZ wrote: I will say this plant is slow to grow in a pot, even an oversized one unless it has high humidity. Once in ground though, it grows real well... weird considering we have very low humidity here, single digits sometimes. I feel more people should grow this tree, and other species if you can locate them $$$... The leaves and flowers, not to mention form make it worth it |
Neutral | On Nov 19, 2012, johneddy from Cos Cob, CT wrote: I've recently purchased a tree from Miniatree (through eBay) . |
Positive | On Jul 12, 2011, TNAndy from Sevierville, TN wrote: I've grown my Frankincense for a few years now, in a square container, just shy of 1 cubic foot. It has a thick trunk and roots (what few I can see) for such a sparse, squat shrub. New leaves begin lime green, deepening to an oak leaf green as they reach full size. Stems grow in fits and starts. Where the stems pause, the foliage appears tufted. As the trunk and branches age, layers of bark similar to onion skin split and peel away. (Think Paper Birch with fewer layers showing.) Even the oldest part of the trunk is green underneath this peeling bark. |
Positive | On Oct 21, 2007, wolfblacksmith from San Francisco, CA wrote: I have searched a long time to find this plant, I was able to purchase 100 seeds, but frankincense is notoriously difficult to germinate, and I had no success. I have found a grower in Arizona that occasionally sells on Ebay, they are called http://www.miniatree.com they have wonderful plants, and I purchased two Boswellia's and they arrived in very healthy, bug free and bare root condition, they are growing and sending out new leaves in my Southwest bay window in my Sunny San Francisco flat. If you have any questions about these wonderful sacred plants, please email me. Thanks Wolf. |
Positive | On May 4, 2007, Cactusdude from Miami, FL (Zone 10b) wrote: Similar to other plants in the genus, as well as Bursera. Grow in full sun, water when in active growth, keep dry when dormant. Protect from frost, likes heat. Expensive to purchase on the internet, yet very easily grown from cuttings. |