Kratom

Mitragyna speciosa

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Family:	Rubiaceae
Genus:	Mitragyna
Species:	speciosa (spee-see-OH-suh) (Info)

56 members have or want this plant for trade.

Category:

Perennials

Trees

Tropicals and Tender Perennials

Water Requirements:

Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings

Sun Exposure:

Sun to Partial Shade

Foliage:

Grown for foliage

Smooth

Textured

Velvet/Fuzzy

Foliage Color:

Unknown - Tell us

Height:

over 40 ft. (12 m)

Spacing:

Unknown - Tell us

Hardiness:

USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 �C (20 �F)

USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 �C (25 �F)

USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 �C (30 �F)

Where to Grow:

Grow outdoors year-round in hardiness zone

Suitable for growing in containers

This plant is suitable for growing indoors

Danger:

Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested

Bloom Color:

Bright Yellow

Propagation Methods:

From herbaceous stem cuttings

Seed Collecting:

Bag seedheads to capture ripening seed

Regional

This plant has been said to grow in the following regions:

Jacksonville, Florida

Key West, Florida

Orlando, Florida

Sarasota, Florida

Santa Fe, Texas

Renton, Washington

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Gardeners' Notes:

positives

neutrals

negatives

Rating	Content
Positive	On Aug 19, 2015, nifty413 from Garland, TX (Zone 8a) wrote: The leaves of this plant have many beneficial medicinal qualities. The species is one of the most useful, yet overlooked, of the ethnobotanicals/homeopathics in western medicine.
Neutral	On Jul 12, 2012, kbschmida from Tallahassee, FL wrote: I bought 2 rooted cuttings to add the plant to my medicinal plant collection. They love the long, hot humid summers here, but have to be taken inside when temps dip below 50F or the huge leaves will start to fall off. The trees rapidly grow too big to be moved! Fortunately, they grow well from green cuttings, potted in sterile medium inside ziplocs under lights with or without rooting hormone, so you can start fresh every year. Do not let the soil dry out on hot sunny days or they will wilt and scorch! They are heavy drinkers and feeders. Outdoors, few pests. Indoors, spider mites are a major problem, whiteflies and aphids less so. From a distance, they look like avocado trees, but on close inspection, you notice the unique spearhead-shaped bud sheaths, which ... read more
Positive	On Dec 1, 2011, ggrowler from Fruitville, FL wrote: I ordered this tree from KTbotanicals.com as a rooted & potted cutting in early May of 2011. It was in fabulous condition when it arrived after three days in the mail. I was told that it would need to adjust to my area (9b) but that where it grows naturally in Thailand has a very similar to climate to that of Florida. The tree took off within a month, and has branched out beautifully; I initially had a small issue with aphids, but I dusted it, and haven't seen any bugs since. What I've learned so far about this tree: It prefers partial sunlight as a young tree; direct full sun will burn it. One can scarcely over-water it. Remember it's indigenous to a rain-forest. One should bring the tree inside if temperatures fall below 45F. (This is w... read more
Neutral	On Jun 12, 2008, Dracoaureus from Oneonta, NY (Zone 5b) wrote: I think I may have waited too long on the planting, I guess seeds are not viable for any length of time. Will put in my own pictures if they do!
Positive	On Jul 27, 2007, thetripscaptain from Durango, CO wrote: Leaves can be used as a stimulant and pain killer but there are some side effects. This plant is indigenous to Thailand where it is actually illegal. It's a gorgeous tree, though. Great addition to a tropical garden or ethnobotanical collection.