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Commiphora kua

Name: Commiphora kua
Brand: Rare Plant Catalog
SKU: 10416735846680
Price: 60.0 USD
Availability: InStock

$60

Commiphora kua is one of the most widespread members of a genus famous for producing the biblical myrrh, an incense of immense historical and religious significance. Its range extends throughout Northeast Africa, the Arabian Peninsula, and the island of Socotra, where it is especially abundant. Although the exact botanical source of the myrrh traded 2,000 years ago remains uncertain, several Commiphora species continue to be economically important exports. C. kua is among them, producing a resin said to have a spicier fragrance than the traditional myrrh associated with Commiphora myrrha. It is also more common in cultivation than C. myrrha, thanks to its generous seed production and ease of germination. The two species share notably spiny branches, a feature that appears only infrequently elsewhere in this genus. An easy to grow and very drought tolerant candidate for untraditional bonsai.

pot size: 1 gal

genus: Commiphora
family: Burseraceae

care & cultivation:

growing season: summer

what growing season means

Active growth occurs in warmer months.
water level: moderate

what water level means

Let the mix dry slightly, but not fully. Water when the top half feels dry. Avoid extremes.
light level: full sun

what light level means

Outdoors in full, unfiltered sun for most of the day. Indoors requires strong horticultural lighting; south windows alone won’t provide this level.
min/max temp: 45°F/100°F

what min/max temp means

45°F — The typical minimum temperature for many warmer coastal regions of the US. Growth slows below this level and stress responses may appear.
100°F — Characteristic of desert and semi-desert heat. Prolonged exposure requires shading, irrigation, and cooling strategies.
humidity level: adaptable

what humidity level means

Tolerates a wide range of conditions, from dry air to very humid environments, without significant stress.
dormancy water: none

what dormancy water means

Withhold all water during dormancy. Keep dry until active growth resumes.
potting mix: very fast-draining

what potting mix means

Loose, stony soils with coarse particles and almost no fines. Comparable to dry landscapes where rain drains away immediately.

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our nursery grew out of a shared belief that rare plants shouldn't stay rare forever. that's why we propagate the plants we'd be excited to receive and offer them directly, without the usual markup

common questions

how do you ship plants?

Very carefully. Each plant is individually packed by hand using materials suited to its size, shape, and needs, usually by the same person who grew it. Heat packs are available during colder months but are not reliable below 15 degrees. If needed, we can hold an order for up to two weeks. All shipments include a California Nursery Stock Certificate for Interstate and Intrastate Shipments.

when does my order arrive?

We ship on Mondays to avoid weekend delays. Most orders go out within a few days, but weather may delay things slightly. USPS Ground Advantage is standard, with Priority available at checkout. You’ll get tracking once your order ships. We don’t have control over carrier speed or when your package is scanned in, but if something seems off or it’s stuck in transit, let us know and we’ll do our best to help.

will I receive the plant pictured?

If the listing description includes "you will recieve the plant pictured", then yes, that’s the one you’ll get. For general listings, you’ll receive a plant of similar size and quality to what’s shown. We grow or hand-select everything ourselves, so what you see is a fair representation of what we send out.

will my plant arrive potted?

Most plants ship bare-root, but we occasionally send them potted when it’s better for the plant. When we ship with soil, we use clean, inorganic media to meet USDA and state requirements for plant shipments.

what if my plant arrives damaged?

Contact us within 3 days of receiving your plant. Send a few clear photos and a short note. The same people who packed your plant have sent out thousands before, but plants are living things and we’ll work with you if something goes wrong.

where can I find care info?

Each product page includes species-specific care notes in an interactive table. Tap the ⓘ icon on any category to reveal detailed guidance. Still unsure? Just ask! Chances are we’ve personally dealt with whatever you’re facing.

do you grow everything yourselves?

Most of it, yes. The vast majority of our plants are propagated by us at our NorCal facility. The rest come from growers we know and trust. We don’t sell wild-collected material, and we never buy from bulk suppliers pushing unlabeled stock grown under questionable conditions. Because we grow most things ourselves and stay small by design, we’re able to keep prices comparable to overseas sellers without cutting corners or sending out half-rooted plants that were never meant to last.

do you offer wholesale?

Yes, our separate wholesale site is currently under construction, but you can reach out on our contact form. Not all plants are available and there are minimum order quantities. Access is limited to those engaged in a commercial trade. If you’d like to open an account, please get in touch with us. And if you think your local nursery should carry our plants, feel free to point them our way.