False Ashoka
Monoon longifolium
The false ashoka is the tall, narrow evergreen tree with wavy, drooping leaves seen along roads and boundaries across India. Its columnar "pendula" form is popular as a living screen and noise barrier.
Photo: Omoo (Wikimedia Commons) · Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons
Essential Care Requirements
Light
Full sun, Partial sun
Watering
Moderate
Water young trees regularly; mature trees need little care.
Soil
Most well-drained soils; pH 6.0–7.5.
Temperature and humidity
5–42 °C · Moderate humidity
Feeding
Not usually needed.
Pruning and propagation
Propagate by seed
Trim the sides if needed to keep it narrow.
Not known to be toxic.
Top Cultivation Tips
Plant 1.5–2 m apart for a screen.
Not the same as the sacred Ashoka (Saraca asoca).
Tolerates pollution and dust.
Fruit bats eat the small fruits.
Common problems
Caterpillars
The larvae of moths and butterflies, which chew holes in leaves, flowers and fruit and can strip a plant in days.
How to treat it →DiseaseLeaf spot
Fungal or bacterial infections that cause brown, black or purple spots on leaves, often with a yellow halo, leading to early leaf drop.
How to treat it →
