How to Grow Ylang Ylang

Cananga odorata · Zones 10-12

Ylang Ylang is a tree, a long-term addition to the landscape. It's hardy across USDA zones 10 through 12 and shrugs off deer. Its spring flowers are a moderate draw for native bees.

Zones

10-12

pH Range

4.5-8

Sun

Full Sun

Days to Maturity

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USDA PLANTS DatabaseUSDA PHZM 2023ASPCA

What Ylang Ylang is

Ylang Ylang grows as a perennial and reaches around 80 feet at maturity. It blooms in spring. It's also deer-resistant.

How to grow Ylang Ylang

Ylang Ylang grows in USDA zones 10 through 12. Ylang Ylang does best in full sun — at least 6 hours of direct sun a day — and soil from pH 4.5 to 8, on well-drained ground. It needs a growing season of at least 180 frost-free days and about 0 hours of winter chill, which is why climate matters as much as soil.

USDA Zones

10-12

USDA PHZM 2023

Soil pH

4.5 - 8

USDA PLANTS Database

Sun

Full Sun

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Drainage

well (dry spells)

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Frost Tolerance

60.8°F

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Mature Height

80 ft

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Chill Hours

0+

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Frost-Free Days

180+

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  1. Plant it right

    Set ylang ylang in full sun with well-drained soil. Many fruit trees need a second variety nearby to pollinate — check before you plant just one.

  2. Match the soil

    Ylang Ylang prefers pH 4.5 to 8 (USDA PLANTS Database). A quick soil test from your local Extension lab tells you whether to add lime or sulfur to land in band.

  3. Water steadily

    Keep the root zone evenly moist through establishment. A 2–3 inch mulch layer holds moisture without waterlogging.

  4. Be patient, then harvest

    Prune annually while the tree establishes; fruit trees reward patience with years of harvest. Local Extension guides publish per-cultivar bearing-age tables.

Good to know

One caution for pet owners — ylang ylang is toxic to dogs and cats (mild severity). Keep it out of reach, and call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 in an emergency. (Source: ASPCA.)

Ylang Ylang offers moderate value to bees and other pollinators. (Source: Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership.)

Where Ylang Ylang thrives

Ylang Ylang is hardy across USDA zones 10 through 12. Zone is only the starting point, though: the soil pH, drainage, and frost dates on your specific land decide how well it actually does.

Zones 10–12 highlighted on the USDA national hardiness zone map

Zones 10–12·Where Ylang Ylang growsOpen map →

On USDA hardiness-zone overlap, Ylang Ylang can grow in these states:

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See if Ylang Ylang will thrive on your land

Zone averages are a start. Your exact soil pH, drainage, sun exposure, and frost dates shape whether ylang ylang actually takes — we score it against the real conditions at your address.

Three things about your exact spot that zone averages miss:

Your soil pHYour frost-free daysYour sun & shade

We read public map data for this spot — soil, climate, flood, and parcel records. How we handle your address.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I grow Ylang Ylang in my zone?

Ylang Ylang grows in USDA hardiness zones 10 through 12 (USDA PHZM 2023). Zone is one factor — soil pH, drainage, and frost dates on your specific parcel also shape whether it takes.

When should you plant Ylang Ylang?

Set ylang ylang out in early spring or fall while it's dormant, so the roots establish before the heat of summer. Your local last-frost date — which a Growable Ground report pulls for your exact address — sets the precise window.

How much sun does Ylang Ylang need?

Ylang Ylang needs full sun — a spot that catches at least 6 hours of direct summer sun a day. In more shade it still grows, but usually gives a smaller, later crop. The catch is that a yard rarely gets even light everywhere — a fence, the house, or one tall tree can quietly take those hours. A Growable Ground report reads the real sun-hours across your land, canopy and buildings included, so you can pick the brightest bed before you plant.

What soil does Ylang Ylang need?

Ylang Ylang prefers soil pH 4.5 to 8, on well-drained ground (USDA PLANTS Database). Your report scores your parcel's actual soil against that using USDA SSURGO data.

Does Ylang Ylang attract pollinators?

Yes — ylang ylang's flowers are a solid nectar source for native bees (Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership).

Is Ylang Ylang safe for pets?

Ylang Ylang is toxic to pets (dogs,cats) with mild severity. Keep it out of reach, and call ASPCA Animal Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 in an emergency.