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Frankincense Features

• In addition to its inflammable resin, frankincense has other known qualities. Native to Ethiopia, Somalia, Yemen and Oman, the tree can grow to 25 feet in height and spread in its native lands. In suitable growing areas of the United States, a height of 10 to 15 feet is more common for mature trees. Quite shrubby in its growth habit, mature frankincense has reddish-brown, papery bark that peels back on the trunk and branches to reveal green beneath. Racemes of yellowish-white flowers are followed by seeds. All parts of the plant are resinous to varying degrees.

Care and Culture

• Hardy in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10 through 13, frankincense can be grown in containers in cooler climates, but it much prefers life in the ground. Even though the plant is native to arid regions, those locations along the Arabian Sea capture heavy fog daily all summer, which provides plentiful moisture to the tree. When establishing frankincense, choose a full sun location with alkaline, well-drained soil. Water the plant regularly during the active growing season from April to mid-December. During months of rest, established plants require minimal water. The characteristic stoutness of the tree's trunk is believed to stabilize it and possibly retain water.

Growth Spurts

• Once established, frankincense tends to grow in short bursts often tied to pending weather. When the barometric pressure drops, the tree responds with growth. Flowering and setting seed also seem tied to these weather changes. In ideal U.S. conditions, frankincense grows to a height and spread of 10 feet or more within two to three years. By five to seven years, a robust tree would reach 13 to 17 feet in height. At that size, in its native regions, the tree would be large enough to tap for resin. To limit the size of established trees, keep water to a minimum.

Concerns and Considerations

• Because frankincense trees are difficult to grow, large specimens are expensive. Though the tree can be started from cuttings, many people prefer to try seeds to limit expense. Frankincense has an extremely low germination rate. For only one to three seeds to germinate out of 100 is not uncommon. A rate of 8 percent is considered quite good. Once germinated, seedlings sprout fast, but remain weak until they firmly establish roots. In containers, trees grow slowly. They do not like to be confined. Cold-climate gardeners can ground the tree in summer and transplant to a pot to bring indoors in fall. Much better growth will occur than when the plant is potted year-round.