Tree of a Thousand Stars
Serissa foetida — The Miniature Flowering Tree
Light
Bright indirect — needs strong light to flower; a few hours of direct morning sun is ideal. Insufficient light causes leaf drop and no blooms. Rotate the plant quarterly for even growth.
Water
Sensitive to both overwatering and underwatering — consistency is critical. Use room-temperature water; cold water shocks the roots and causes leaf drop.
Humidity
Prefers moderate to high humidity. Leaf edges brown in dry winter heating.
Temperature
18–27°C (65–80°F). Keep away from cold drafts and heating vents.
Difficulty
Advanced
Sizes
Tabletop · Mid-floor · Floor specimen
Tree of a thousand stars — Serissa foetida — is a compact, woody shrub with tiny oval leaves on fine, twiggy branches, naturally forming the shape of a miniature tree. Established, happy plants bloom prolifically with small star-shaped flowers, which is where the name comes from.
In the Office
It needs bright indirect light, with a few hours of direct morning sun ideal, to flower at all — without enough light it drops leaves and won't bloom. Water needs to be consistent in both directions, since it's sensitive to both over- and underwatering, and cold tap water shocks the roots and triggers leaf drop. Note that this is not a forgiving plant: it's known for dropping leaves under any kind of stress, from being moved to an inconsistent watering schedule, so it needs steady attention.
Why Choose This Plant
Benefits for Your Office
- Naturally forms a miniature tree shape, giving it a sculptural quality unusual at its small size
- Blooms prolifically with small star-shaped flowers once established in the right light
- Non-toxic to cats and dogs
- Stays compact — typically 20–40cm — so it suits a tabletop without needing floor space
Where to Place It
Office Placement Ideas
- 1
Desks or tabletops near a window that gets a few hours of direct morning sun, where it can bloom
- 2
Bright reception or lobby tables, rotated quarterly for even growth on all sides
- 3
Stable spots away from doorways or foot traffic, since moving it easily triggers leaf drop
How to Care for It
Care Tips for Office Environments
- Prune lightly after flowering to maintain its shape — it responds well to shaping
- Pinch new shoots to encourage denser branching
- Keep watering and temperature consistent — moving it, temperature swings or irregular watering all trigger leaf drop
- Watch for spider mites and whiteflies on the undersides of the leaves
Want Tree of a Thousand Stars in your office?
Our team will recommend the right variety and size for your space, deliver and install it, and keep it thriving with ongoing care.