Radermachera sinica, China doll, Serpent tree or Emerald tree, a popular bushy evergreen houseplant

Radermachera sinica known as China Doll is a beautiful bushy houseplant that has lush, finely divided leaves giving it an elegant appearance. As young China doll plants grow, they become trees with woody stems and a thick, lush canopy.

Young China doll plants are small and compact, making them perfect desk decor or a lovely addition to brightly lit counter tops, tables, or window sills. More mature plants can be used to help cover blank, empty walls, to soften the harsh lines of large furniture, or fill empty corners.

China Doll Growing Instructions
Grow China doll in a medium to bright spot. The brighter the light, the faster this houseplant will grow. If it's grown in a spot that's a little too dim, the new growth may be lanky and look stretched. If this happens, give your China doll a haircut to encourage more bushy growth and move it to a brighter spot.

Water China doll enough to keep the soil moist, but never soggy and saturated. This may be once a week or so, depending on how large your houseplant is, how large the China doll's pot is, how much light it receives, and the temperature.

Like most houseplants, China doll appreciates abundant humidity levels and can sulk a bit if the air is too dry, especially in winter months. If your space has dry air, you can increase relative humidity around your plant by grouping it with other houseplants (they naturally release a little moisture into the air as they breathe, so a cluster of houseplants can act as little humidifiers for one another) or by growing your plant over a large, shallow tray filled with water and rocks, sand, or pebbles. Just be sure the bottom of the pot stays above the water so that the China doll doesn't drown.

China doll benefits from being fertilized a couple of times a year (in spring and summer when they're actively growing). You can fertilize China doll houseplants more frequently if you wish -- doing so will make it grow faster.

China doll is not recommended for human or animal consumption.