Indian Hawthorn
Rhaphiolepis indica 'Clara'
flowerIndian hawthorn (Rhaphiolepis indica) is a neat, mounded broadleaf evergreen for warm climates, growing about 4 to 6 ft tall and wide with leathery dark-green leaves, clusters of white or pink fragrant flowers in spring, and blue-black berries that follow into winter. New leaves emerge bronze and winter foliage often picks up purple tints. Salt, wind, and drought tolerant, it is a workhorse for coastal gardens, foundations, and low informal hedges in the Deep South and West. Its main weakness is Entomosporium leaf spot, so disease-resistant cultivars and good airflow matter.
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Sun
full sun
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Water
Every 7 days
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Bloom
~50 days
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Difficulty
easy
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Lifecycle
perennial
Comes back every year
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Spacing
3-4 ft apart
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Planting Depth
Set at the same depth it grew in the nursery pot
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Soil pH
5.5-7.5
Growing Details
Soil Type
Adaptable; well-drained
Hardiness Zones
Zones 8 – 10
When to Fertilize
In early spring as new growth begins
Fertilizer
Balanced slow-release shrub fertilizer
🌱 Growing Guide
Grow Indian hawthorn in full sun for the best flowering and the strongest resistance to leaf spot; it tolerates light shade but blooms less and spots more there. It accepts most well-drained soils and a range of pH, and is notably salt and drought tolerant once established, making it a coastal favorite. It has a naturally tidy, rounded habit and needs little pruning; shape lightly after flowering. The key to keeping it healthy is managing Entomosporium leaf spot - choose resistant cultivars, space plants for airflow, water at the base rather than overhead, and rake up fallen spotted leaves.
🌼 Have a different variety?Cultivars of the same species usually share the same basic care, and they differ mainly in flower color, height, and bloom form, not in how you grow them. So this guide still applies even if your exact variety isn't the one shown.
Planting Calendar
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Direct sow
Apr 15
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Projected first bloom
Jun 4
JJan
FFeb
MMar
AApr
MMay
JJun
JJul
AAug
SSep
OOct
NNov
DDec
✅ Plant alongside
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
- Loropetalum: A purple-leaved evergreen that contrasts with Indian hawthorn foliage and spring flowers
- Liriope: An evergreen edging grass that lines a low Indian hawthorn planting
- Holly: A tough evergreen that combines for layered, salt-tolerant structure
🛡️ Pest & disease prevention
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts. Tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
The major disease, causing reddish leaf spots and defoliation; choose resistant cultivars, give airflow, water at the base, and remove fallen leaves
Cluster on new growth; rinse off and conserve natural enemies
Bumps on stems and leaves suck sap; treat with horticultural oil
A bacterial dieback; prune out blackened tips well below the infection and disinfect tools
🌸 Blooms & cutting
Indian hawthorn is grown as a low evergreen flowering shrub, not for harvest. It is naturally compact, so the main task is light shaping right after the spring bloom, plus the ongoing job of managing leaf spot by improving airflow and raking up fallen, spotted leaves.
🥗 Nutrition & benefits
Indian hawthorn is an ornamental flowering evergreen shrub, not edible. Its value is tidy evergreen form, fragrant spring flowers, and salt and drought tolerance for coastal and foundation use. Have a different variety? Cultivars of this shrub share the same basic care, so this guide still applies even if your exact flower color is not shown.
For educational and informational purposes only. HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.