A Commiphora native to the dry country of East Africa — Kenya, Somalia and Ethiopia — where it dots rocky bushland with a squat, heavily-built profile. The trunk stays short and thick, clothed in reddish-brown bark that flakes and peels to reveal lighter tissue beneath, giving the plant the rough, sculptural texture typical of the genus. Wounded bark releases a milky, fragrant resin in the myrrh tradition, long used locally for incense and folk medicine. The small pinnate leaves shed cleanly in the dry season, sharpening the silhouette of the trunk. With patience it takes on a wonderfully aged, old-tree quality, especially when given strong sun and a sharply drained substrate.
Native climate
Rainfall is spread fairly evenly across the year. Overall a warm climate.
A broad-scale picture of the native range. Real growing spots — rock crevices, fog belts — can be milder.
Sources: climate & elevation WorldClim 2.1 (1970–2000) · occurrences GBIF · native range POWO
Care
Light & Placement
A sun-and-heat species from the dry, rocky bushland of East Africa. Outdoors in full sun through the growing season is ideal — strong light brings out the reddish bark color and keeps the squat trunk tight and dense. Humidity is a bigger threat than light, so shelter from rain and keep airflow generous; mild shading helps through Japan's most intense summer days. Bring indoors to a bright window before temperatures dip below 8°C.
Watering
During active growth, soak thoroughly once the topsoil is fully dry, let water drain freely, and dry the surface quickly with good airflow. Withhold water completely through dormancy.
Substrate
A sharply draining inorganic mix is essential. Akadama : Kanuma : pumice at 4:3:3 is reliable; sift out fines to keep the root zone aerated and avoid rot.
Fertilizer & Supplements
A dilute liquid fertilizer once a month through the growing season. Keep nitrogen low — excess softens bark and triggers etiolation; phosphorus-leaning feeds support a denser, squat trunk.
Temperature & Overwintering
Optimal 20–35°C with a clear preference for the hotter end. Cold tolerance is limited; hold a winter floor of 8°C. Below 5°C the trunk can develop soft rot near resin tissue. Rest fully dry indoors in a bright, warm spot and pull back from cold windows on freezing nights.
Starting from Seed
Where to source seeds
Pre-sowing treatment
Soak seeds for about 7 hours in a mix of a registered seed-treatment fungicide (Benlate or Daconil) and a plant tonic (Menedael; outside Japan, SUPERthrive or a chelated iron / seaweed extract works similarly), each diluted per label. Freshness strongly governs germination — old seed lots may turn out to be empty, so source recent seed and sow promptly.
Substrate
A fine-grained inorganic mix — fine akadama and fine hyuga at roughly equal parts. Sterilize with boiling water or a brief microwave pass before sowing.
Sowing method
Level the surface, lay seeds on their sides, and cover with the thinnest possible dusting of substrate. Deep sowing is fatal on this caudex-former.
Light & temperature
Bright shade out of direct sun at 25–32°C. Lean to the warmer end of the range and stabilize the temperature with a heat mat.
Watering
Bottom-water continuously until germination to keep the mix evenly moist. Continue shallow bottom watering afterward and never let the substrate dry out.
Fertilizer
Once two or three true leaves are open, feed a liquid fertilizer diluted to less than half strength, monthly. Stronger doses scorch fine roots.
From Germination to Repotting
Germination through true leaves
Continue bottom watering and keep humidity up.
Weaning off bottom watering
Wean gradually over 1–2 months.
First repotting
Year 1–2, once roots have filled the pot.
Common Pitfalls
Mold & damping-off
- Cause: Excess moisture, microbes
- Prevention: Sterilize the substrate, ensure ventilation
Low germination rate
- Cause: Seed freshness, insufficient heat
- Prevention: Use fresh seed, supplemental heat
Etiolation
- Cause: Insufficient light
- Prevention: Manage light levels
Notes
Below 5°C the trunk starts showing signs of soft rot. Pull it away from cold window panes on freezing nights.
