Light: Full sun; provide temporary afternoon shade for young transplants during extreme summer heat.
Water: Drought tolerant once established, but deep watering during hot weather supports leafy growth. Let the upper several inches of soil dry between waterings; reduce watering sharply during winter dormancy.
Soil: Well-drained sandy or loamy soil; tolerates mildly alkaline conditions. Avoid waterlogged soil and poorly drained clay; use a raised planting area where drainage is limited.
Mature size: Typically 20–35 feet tall and 10–20 feet wide if unpruned; often maintained at 6–12 feet for leaf harvest. Winter dieback can limit size in Phoenix.
Bloom: May flower in its first year under favorable conditions; flowering in Phoenix is most likely from late spring through fall, depending on warmth, watering, and pruning.
Evergreen / deciduous: Evergreen in frost-free tropical climates; usually deciduous or semi-deciduous in Phoenix, shedding leaves during cold or drought.
Growth rate: Very fast during warm weather with adequate water; can grow 6–10 feet or more in a favorable season.