Winter hardy to USDA Zones 8-11 where plants are grown in medium moisture, well-drained soils in full sun. Tolerates some drought. Because of its extremely rapid growth rate, it can be grown in gardens in the zone 5 or colder area as an annual shrub from seed. Plants can be regularly pruned to stimulate bushy growth. Plants are also commonly grown in containers as either shrubs or trained as standards. Container plants can be placed on patios or sunk into the ground to the lip, but must be brought indoors in fall before first frost for overwintering. Container plants can be stooled (bushy plants are cut to the ground and standards are cut back to the trunk) prior to overwintering, in which case the stooled plants are best overwintered in a cool, dark basement or frost-free garage.
