Mountain Cedar
Toona ciliatafam. Meliaceae
Educational content — not medical, botanical, or professional advice. Plant identification, safety, and edibility depend on local conditions, cultivars, and correct identification. Consult a qualified botanist or forager before consuming or handling wild specimens. How we source & review →
Pl. E4EE — Toona ciliata
Toona ciliataToona ciliataToona ciliataToona ciliataToona ciliataToona ciliataToona ciliataToona ciliataToona ciliataToona ciliataToona ciliataToona ciliataToona ciliataToona ciliata
IOverview
Overview
Mountain Cedar (Toona ciliata) is a deciduous tree native to the eastern and southeastern regions of Asia, including Assam, Bangladesh, Borneo, Cambodia, China's south-central and southeast areas, East Himalaya, Hainan, India, and other nearby islands like Jawa, Lesser Sunda Islands, Maluku, Myanmar, Nepal, New Guinea, Pakistan, Philippines, Sulawesi, Sumatera, Thailand, and Vietnam. This tree thrives in moist to wet conditions with medium to heavy clay soil and can grow up to 30 meters tall. Known for its edible leaves, it is also valued for its ornamental qualities and full sun to partial shade adaptability. Its native range includes parts of India and Southeast Asia where it naturally grows.
Quick answers
What is Mountain Cedar?
Mountain Cedar (Toona ciliata) is a deciduous tree native to the eastern and southeastern regions of Asia, including Assam, Bangladesh, Borneo, Cambodia, China's south-central and southeast areas, East Himalaya, Hainan, India, and other nearby islands like Jawa, Lesser Sunda Isla
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Mountain Cedar thrives in full to partial sun and prefers moist or wet soil that is medium to heavy (clay). It grows well in hardiness zones 9-12 and can reach a height of 30 meters. For propagation, use seeds or cuttings. The plant's edible leaves make it useful for culinary purposes.
Light
Full sun, Partial sun/shade, Full shade
Water
Moist, Wet
Soil
Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
9-12
Mature size
30.0 m tall
For first-time growers
How to grow Mountain Cedar for the first time
8steps
Start with a simple, full-sun location and basic soil preparation for your Mountain Cedar.
- 1
What you'll need
A young Mountain Cedar sapling, garden gloves, and a trowel.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring or early summer when the weather is warming up.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Choose a well-draining soil with some clay content. Amend your soil if necessary.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Transplant young saplings directly into the garden, ensuring they are planted at the same depth as in their pot.
- 5
First two weeks
Water regularly to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Monitor for any signs of stress.
- 6
Ongoing care
Provide full sun and regular watering, especially during dry spells. Prune lightly in late winter or early spring.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune the tree to maintain its shape and remove any dead or diseased branches.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting too deep, neglecting regular pruning, using unsuitable soil, and not providing enough sunlight.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:Leaves
Edible uses: The leaves of the Mountain Cedar (Toona ciliata) are edible and can be consumed fresh or used in various preparations. They are often added to salads for a mild flavor or cooked as part of vegetable dishes. The leaves can also be dried for later use.
Other uses:DyeEssential OilLumberPest controlWeaving materialTanninFragrance
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
24 native · 6 introduced
Distribution
24 native · 6 introducedDistribution across3 continents· 24 native· 6 introduced
Asia11 regions
native (11)BangladeshCambodiaChinaIndiaLaosMyanmarNepalPakistanPhilippinesThailandVietnam
Americas1 region
introduced (1)United States
Africa2 regions
introduced (2)MalawiMozambique
Broader regions
native:Sulawesi, Sumatera, Bismarck Archipelago, Borneo, East Himalaya, Hainan, Jawa, Lesser Sunda Is., Malaya, Maluku, New Guinea
introduced:Gulf of Guinea Is., KwaZulu-Natal, Northern Provinces
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family (Meliaceae), common use cases, and growing requirements.
same family · Meliaceae
Botanical relatives — often share phytochemistry + growing needs.
XI
Explore further
Companion planting
Compare with similar plants
Growing zone
XII
About this entry
- Last updated
- Citation
- How to cite this entry · Submit a correction
Back to the cataloguePlant id · e4ee94a0-ad37-49cf-a678-3085435b9fdc
Decision aid
Choosing between Mountain Cedar and something else?
Continue reading
❦❦❦❦
Endpaper · archive updates
Get archive updates
Occasional email when substantial new content lands — plant profiles, seasonal growing notes, folk-remedy additions. Free, no tracking, unsubscribe anytime.