Light: Full sun to partial shade; morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal in Phoenix, especially near heat-reflecting walls.
Water: Moderate water; irrigate deeply and let the upper few inches of soil dry between waterings. Water more frequently during extreme summer heat and establishment; reduce watering in winter.
Soil: Well-drained soil enriched with compost. Avoid persistently wet soil and provide mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.
Mature size: Typically 6–10 feet tall and 4–8 feet wide; potentially larger in frost-protected locations if left unpruned.
Bloom: Intermittently from late spring through fall in warm weather; variegated forms may flower less heavily than green-leaved forms.
Evergreen / deciduous: Evergreen in frost-free conditions; may lose leaves or suffer stem dieback during Zone 9b freezes.
Growth rate: Moderate to fast with adequate warmth and water.