Plant in full sun and water occasionally to more moderately. It has proven hardy to short duration temperatures from 20-25 degrees F. A very decorative tree when new red foliage flushes (often in summer).

Cryptocarya alba is native to wetter mountain slopes and ravines in central Chile. The name for the genus is from the Greek words 'krypto' meaning "hidden" and 'karya' meaning nut in reference to the small size of the fruit. The specific long used for this plant was "rubra", meaning red, so named for it flushes of red new foliage, but the currently correct name uses the epithet meaning "white" in reference to the color of the fruit.

This tree was introduced into cultivation by the USDA Bureau of Plant Industry as BPI 54629-1921 We grew this attractive tree (as Cryptocarya rubra) from 1981 until 1993. It can found scattered around Santa Barbara as a street tree - notably in the 200 block of West Pueblo Street and a large specimen on Alan Road near Arroyo Burro Beach Park. It is closely related to another Chilean plant in the Laurel family that is infrequently seen in cultivation, Beilschmiedia miersii. 

The information about Cryptocarya alba displayed on this web page is based on our research conducted in the nursery's horticultural library and from reliable online resources. We also include observations made about it as it grows in our nursery gardens and other gardens we have visited, as well how the crops have performed in containers in our nursery field. We will also incorporate comments we receive from others and welcome hearing from anyone with additional information, particularly if they can share cultural information that would aid others in growing this plant.