Indoor Plants
Outdoor Plants
Indian Rosewood (Sissoo)
A fast-growing shade tree with light-green leaves and a broad crown that copes with city conditions, compacted soil and drought – shade for gardens and streets.
- Light: Direct sun
- Water: Regular watering until established
- Temperature: Loves heat
Description
The Indian rosewood, or sissoo, is a fast-growing shade tree from the Indian subcontinent. It has light-green leaves and a broad crown and is semi-evergreen. It copes with city conditions such as pollution, compacted soil and drought, so it is planted along streets and in projects.
Why an Indian rosewood?
- Fast growth and wide shade.
- Copes with pollution, compacted soil and drought.
- Semi-evergreen.
- Adapts to clay and sandy soils.
Where to plant it
In large gardens and courtyards, and along streets and big car parks. Over the years it reaches 14–18 m tall and 9–12 m wide. Its surface roots can lift paving and send up sprouts, so plant it away from pavements and buildings.
Care in the Saudi climate
- Light: full or part sun.
- Water: regular until the young tree establishes, then it is moderately drought tolerant.
- Soil: clay or sand; tolerates occasional wetness but prefers good drainage.
- Salt: low tolerance of sea spray; keep it away from exposed seafronts.
- Roots: remove sprouts that come up from the roots regularly.
Sizes
- 1.5 m: Home gardens – grows fast in place.
- 2.5 m: Courtyards and streets – quicker shade.
Three things to get right.
Lighting
Grows in full or part sun.
Watering
Water regularly in the first year until established; after that it is moderately drought tolerant.
Temperature & humidity
It loves Jeddah and Riyadh heat.
More trees.Pairs well with
A lot – over the years it can reach 14–18 m tall and 9–12 m wide.
It can form large surface roots that lift paving, so plant it away from pavements, buildings and pools.
Sprouts sometimes come up from the roots; remove them regularly so they don't spread.
Its sea-spray tolerance is low, so we don't recommend it on exposed seafronts.
Yes – stake young trees until the roots can hold against the wind.