Saltwood: A Caribbean Native Worth Knowing
If you’re gardening in the Caribbean and looking to embrace native plants, you might want to get acquainted with saltwood (Neea buxifolia). This unassuming evergreen shrub might not be the showiest plant in the garden center, but it has that quiet charm that makes native plant enthusiasts take a second look.
What Exactly Is Saltwood?
Saltwood, scientifically known as Neea buxifolia, is a perennial shrub that’s as Caribbean as it gets. This woody plant typically grows as a multi-stemmed shrub, usually staying under 13 to 16 feet tall, though it can occasionally surprise you by growing taller or developing a single stem depending on where it’s planted.
You might also see this plant referenced by its botanical synonym, Eggersia buxifolia, in older gardening references or botanical texts.
Where Does Saltwood Call Home?
This native beauty is truly a child of the Caribbean, calling both Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands home. It’s one of those plants that evolved specifically for island life, adapting to the unique conditions that make Caribbean gardening both challenging and rewarding.
Why Consider Saltwood for Your Garden?
Here’s where things get a bit tricky – saltwood is one of those native plants that hasn’t made it big in the mainstream gardening world yet. While we know it’s a sturdy evergreen shrub with simple, oval-shaped leaves, detailed information about its cultivation requirements and garden performance is limited.
What we do know makes it potentially appealing:
- It’s a true native, supporting local ecosystems
- As an evergreen, it provides year-round structure
- Its shrub form makes it versatile for different landscape roles
- It’s adapted to Caribbean growing conditions
Growing Conditions and Care
Since saltwood is native to the Caribbean, it’s best suited for USDA hardiness zones 10-11, where tropical and subtropical conditions prevail. Beyond that, specific growing requirements aren’t well-documented in horticultural literature.
Based on its native habitat, saltwood likely prefers:
- Warm, tropical temperatures year-round
- Well-draining soils
- Conditions typical of Caribbean island environments
The Reality Check
Here’s the honest truth about saltwood: it’s not readily available in most nurseries, and detailed growing guides are scarce. This is both the challenge and the opportunity of working with lesser-known native plants. If you’re interested in growing saltwood, you might need to:
- Contact native plant societies in Puerto Rico or the Virgin Islands
- Work with specialized native plant nurseries
- Connect with botanical gardens in the region
- Be prepared for some trial and error
Is Saltwood Right for Your Garden?
Saltwood might be perfect for you if you’re a native plant enthusiast in Puerto Rico or the U.S. Virgin Islands who enjoys the challenge of working with less common species. It’s ideal for gardeners who prioritize supporting local ecosystems over having readily available planting information.
However, if you’re looking for a well-documented plant with established cultivation practices, you might want to start with other Caribbean natives that have more horticultural support available.
The Bottom Line
Saltwood represents the fascinating world of regional native plants – species that are perfectly adapted to their local environments but haven’t yet made the transition to mainstream horticulture. While growing it successfully might require some detective work and patience, it offers the unique satisfaction of cultivating a true local native that supports the natural heritage of the Caribbean islands.
For adventurous gardeners in its native range, saltwood could be a worthy addition to a native plant garden, providing evergreen structure while supporting local wildlife in ways we’re still discovering.
