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Tutsan

Hypericaceae

Tutsan (Hypericum androsaemum)

Hypericum androsaemum

Easy ☀️ Partial shade ⚠️ Toxic to pets

An easy, low-maintenance shrub that tolerates full sun to part shade and a wide range of soils, provided drainage is adequate. Water weekly during summer and dry spells, tapering off in winter; once established it is quite drought tolerant.

💧 Watering

Every 7 days

☀️ Light

Partial shade

🌡️ Temperature

-15° - °C

💨 Humidity

% - %

Categories

What is Tutsan?

Tutsan (Hypericum androsaemum) is a easy-care plant from the Hypericaceae family. Hypericum androsaemum, commonly called tutsan or sweet-amber, is a semi-evergreen shrub in the family Hypericaceae, native to Europe, North Africa, and western Asia. It grows 0.5-1 m tall with paired oval leaves and golden-yellow, star-shaped flowers that bloom from late spring through summer. The b...

Tutsan grows up to 1.0m, spread of 100cm, watering every 7 days. It is not suitable for indoor environments and not safe for pets.

Unlike many tropical plants, Tutsan tolerates watering mistakes. Best for beginners. Without precautions, ingestion can cause irritation in pets. Keep out of reach of cats and dogs.

How to Care for Tutsan?

TLDR: Tutsan needs Partial shade, watering every 7 days, and temperatures between -15-30°C with 40-70% humidity.

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How Often Should You Water Tutsan?

Water about once a week during summer and dry periods; reduce watering in winter. Avoid waterlogged soil.

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How Much Light Does Tutsan Need?

Grows in full sun or partial shade; flowers most freely with several hours of direct sun.

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What Is the Best Soil for Tutsan?

Tolerates sandy, loamy, clay, or chalky soils as long as they drain well; prefers organically rich soil with a pH between roughly 5 and 8.

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What Pot Should You Use for Tutsan?

Best planted directly in the garden; if container-grown, use a wide pot with excellent drainage.

What Is Tutsan and Where Does It Come From?

Hypericum androsaemum, commonly called tutsan or sweet-amber, is a semi-evergreen shrub in the family Hypericaceae, native to Europe, North Africa, and western Asia. It grows 0.5-1 m tall with paired oval leaves and golden-yellow, star-shaped flowers that bloom from late spring through summer. The berry-like fruits mature from red to purplish-black and are ornamental but not edible.

How to Propagate Tutsan?

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Semi-hardwood cutting

Use clean, sharp tools and keep cuttings humid and shaded until roots form.

  1. 1
    Take 10-12 cm semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer, ideally with a small heel of older wood
  2. 2
    Strip the lower leaves and dip the cut end in rooting hormone
  3. 3
    Insert into a well-drained propagation medium and keep moist in a sheltered spot
  4. 4
    Transplant to the final position the following spring

Materials needed:

Pruning shearsRooting hormoneWell-drained propagation medium
⏱️ Time: 4-6 weeks 📊 Success rate: high 🗓️ Best season: Summer
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Clump division

Works especially well on suckering specimens that have formed multiple crowns.

  1. 1
    Choose a mature, dormant clump in early spring
  2. 2
    Carefully dig up and split the clump into sections with viable roots and shoots
  3. 3
    Replant immediately in the final location
  4. 4
    Water thoroughly after planting

Materials needed:

Garden spadeKnife or pruning shears
⏱️ Time: 2-4 weeks to establish 📊 Success rate: high 🗓️ Best season: Spring

How Big Does Tutsan Grow?

TLDR: Tutsan can reach up to 1.0m tall with Fast growth rate.

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Max height

1.0m

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Spread

1.0m

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Growth rate

Fast

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Foliage

Semi-evergreen

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Warning: Toxic Plant

This plant can be toxic if ingested. Keep out of reach of:

🐱 Cats 🐶 Dogs 👶 Children

Plant Uses

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Ornamental

Great for decoration

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Medicinal

Medicinal properties

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Medicinal Uses

  • Leaves traditionally applied topically as a folk remedy to help minor wounds heal (popular use, not clinically proven)

Is your plant showing symptoms?

Click on the symptom to discover possible causes:

What Diseases Commonly Affect Tutsan?

TLDR: Tutsan is susceptible to 8 known diseases. Monitor regularly for early detection.

Rust

Medium

Rust is a common fungal disease caused by fungi in the order Pucciniales that affects a wide variety of plants. The disease gets its name from the characteristic orange, yellow, or reddish-brown pustules that appear on leaves, resembling metal rust. This obligate fungal parasite requires living plants to survive and can cause significant economic losses in agricultural crops.

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Powdery Mildew

Medium

Powdery mildew is a common fungal disease caused by various fungi species including Erysiphe, Podosphaera, Oïdium, and Leveillula. It affects over 10,000 plant species worldwide. The disease thrives in warm, dry climates with high humidity and appears as a distinctive white powdery coating on plant surfaces.

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Scale Insects

Medium

Scale insects are small sap-sucking pests that appear as brown, shell-like bumps on plant stems and leaves. There are over 25 species, divided into armored (hard) and unarmored (soft) scales. They feed by piercing plant tissue and extracting sap, which weakens the plant and can lead to yellowing, stunted growth, and even death if left untreated. They also excrete honeydew, which attracts ants and promotes sooty mold growth.

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Leaf Spot

Medium

Leaf spot is a common fungal disease caused by various pathogens including Alternaria, Ascochyta, Colletotrichum, Septoria, and Venturia. It primarily affects leaves, causing discolored spots that can lead to premature leaf drop if left untreated.

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Meaning & Symbolism

In European folk tradition, sprigs of tutsan were hung over doorways on St John's Eve (midsummer) to ward off evil spirits. Its name comes from the Old French "toute-saine", meaning "all-healthy", a nod to its traditional reputation as a wound-healing herb.

Fun Facts

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The name "tutsan" comes from the French "toute-saine", meaning "all-healthy"

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Its berries change color as they ripen, from red to purplish-black

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It can self-seed freely and is considered weedy or even invasive in some regions outside its native range

Frequently asked questions

Is tutsan toxic to cats and dogs?
Yes, the berries and leaves contain hypericin, which can cause photosensitization and gastrointestinal upset in pets if a sufficient quantity is eaten.
How often should I water tutsan?
Water roughly once a week during summer; reduce in winter. It is quite drought tolerant once established.
Does tutsan need full sun?
No; it grows well in full sun or partial shade, though it flowers best with some direct sunlight.
What diseases commonly affect tutsan?
Rust is the most notable issue, causing orange spots on leaves; powdery mildew and scale insects can also occur.

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Sources & References

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