Sapium sebiferum Seeds | Chinese Tallow Popcorn Tree
LATIN NAME: Sapium sebiferum
COMMON NAME: Chinese Tallow Tree
Plant Profile
Known to gardeners as Chinese Tallow Tree, Sapium sebiferum is a tree in the spurge family. It likes sun, and moist, well-drained soil. It is hard to name another plant that gives this much for this little trouble.
Science & Biotechnology
The species features in the wider study of the spurge family, and its traits make it a useful subject for work on germination biology, cultivation and ornamental selection. Waxy seeds of the Chinese tallow tree give it a long place in research on fast-growing warm-climate trees of spurge family, and sebiferum species appears in studies of seed wax chemistry and candle and soap making. Gardeners benefit directly from its long cultivation: what the plant will do in a garden is well understood.
Uses & Benefits
In the garden, Chinese Tallow Tree earns its place in borders, containers and mixed plantings, and it also rewards growers who raise plants for cutting, drying or kitchen use. Waxy seeds have served candles and soaps for generations, autumn foliage lights garden, and tree gives quick shade and warm colour. It grows well in moist, well-drained, sunny ground. Press fresh seeds into loose, gritty drills of open bed in autumn, then cover them lightly, keep drills gently moist, and young trees appear in the spring. Once it has its roots down, it more or less looks after itself.
Chinese tallow tree gives industrial seed oil and brilliant autumn color; its sap is irritant, so it is a landscape tree only.
Growing from Seed
Sow fresh seed of Chinese Tallow Tree under ordinary good conditions. Use a fine, free-draining seed compost, scatter the seed evenly, cover it lightly and hold it just moist in good light. Once the seedlings have made true leaves, pot them on individually and plant out when they are sturdy and conditions are right.
Our Take
One honest caution: this plant is not safe to ingest, so it is grown for ornament and interest only. Its wants are few — a sunny spot, soil that drains, and time to settle in.
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