{"product_id":"mastic-tree-seeds-pistacia-lentiscus","title":"Mastic Tree Seeds | Pistacia lentiscus","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAustralian Grown • Organically Cultivated • Botanical Source of Aromatic Mastic Resin\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eProduct Highlights\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePack Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e Standard Pack 5 Seeds or Best Value Pack 15 Seeds\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBotanical Name:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003ePistacia lentiscus\u003c\/em\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePlant Type:\u003c\/strong\u003e Aromatic Mediterranean evergreen shrub or small tree\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFoliage \u0026amp; Fruit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Dense glossy foliage with small fruits that mature from red to dark purple or black on pollinated female plants\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGarden Appeal:\u003c\/strong\u003e Sculptural evergreen form suited to sunny, dry-climate gardens and large containers\u003c\/li\u003e\n\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eAbout Mastic Tree\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eMastic Tree is one of those plants that becomes more interesting the closer you look.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003ePistacia lentiscus\u003c\/em\u003e develops into a densely branched evergreen shrub or compact tree with glossy aromatic foliage and a naturally sculptural form. Its combination of year-round greenery, resilience and tolerance of dry conditions makes it particularly well suited to Mediterranean-style landscapes.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe species is also the plant behind the famous mastic tears. On selected mature trees, careful incisions in the bark allow clear droplets of aromatic resin to emerge and gradually harden into translucent pieces traditionally collected as mastic.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFor gardeners, the appeal goes well beyond the famous resin. Mastic Tree is a distinctive living piece of Mediterranean botany with a remarkable relationship to one island, generations of growers and centuries of trade.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eDid You Know?\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eUnder Genoese rule on Chios, the company controlling the mastic trade deliberately limited annual production to help keep prices high. When growers produced more resin than the permitted quantity, the surplus could be stored for the following year or actually burned rather than sold. Few plant products have been controlled so tightly that part of the harvest was deliberately destroyed to preserve its scarcity.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eOrigins \u0026amp; Ethnobotanical History\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ch3\u003eChios and the Mastichochoria\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eAlthough \u003cem\u003ePistacia lentiscus\u003c\/em\u003e is native across much of the Mediterranean and the Canary Islands, its most extraordinary human story developed on the Greek island of Chios.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn the island's south, communities became so closely connected with mastic cultivation that their settlements came to be known collectively as the Mastichochoria, the mastic villages. Places including Pyrgi, Mesta, Olympoi and Armolia grew within a landscape shaped economically and socially by the resin.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMastic influenced more than agriculture. Historical mastic villages developed defensive architecture that helped protect both their inhabitants and a highly valuable crop. Houses could form part of an outer defensive wall, central towers dominated settlements and gates were closed after sunset.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eFrom Chios Across the Mediterranean\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eWhen the Genoese took control of Chios in 1346, mastic became central to a highly organised commercial system. The Maona company assumed control over production and trade, turning the resin into one of the island's most important sources of revenue.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFrom Chios, mastic moved through an extraordinary network of eastern and western markets. Historical records trace the trade through places including Rhodes, Cyprus, Alexandria, Damascus and Constantinople, as well as Italian commercial centres such as Venice, Florence and Genoa.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOttoman rule began in 1566, but mastic did not lose its importance. The resin remained under monopoly control and the communities responsible for producing it retained special status connected with the crop.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eA Living Cultivation Tradition\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe traditional production of mastic is remarkably labour intensive and organised around the agricultural year.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn winter, trees are pruned and tended. From around mid-June, the ground beneath each tree is carefully swept, levelled and prepared so fallen resin can be recovered cleanly. From July, small incisions are made in the bark and larger branches, allowing droplets of resin to emerge and solidify.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe hardened tears are then collected, sorted, washed and prepared. Knowledge of when to cut, how deeply to incise and how to handle the harvest has traditionally been passed from older growers to younger generations within mastic-producing families.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn 2014, UNESCO inscribed the know-how of cultivating mastic on Chios on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, recognising a living agricultural tradition built around \u003cem\u003ePistacia lentiscus\u003c\/em\u003e and the communities that have maintained it.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eGrowing Guide\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ch3\u003eHow to Grow Mastic Tree from Seed in Australia\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBest Time to Start: September to January\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIn frost-free areas, sowing can extend beyond this period wherever consistently warm propagation conditions can be maintained.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eResearch into \u003cem\u003ePistacia lentiscus\u003c\/em\u003e germination is genuinely mixed. Fresh seed can germinate without dormancy-breaking treatment, while other nursery and experimental studies show that the hard seed covering can slow water uptake and that mechanical scarification can speed emergence. For home propagation, the method below uses gentle mechanical scarification and a short clean-water soak only. Acid, salt and boiling-water treatments are not used.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eStep 1: Lightly Scarify the Seeds\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eUsing fine sandpaper or a clean file, gently abrade one small area of the outer seed covering.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe aim is to thin the hard surface slightly so water can enter more readily. Do not cut deeply into the seed or damage the living tissue inside.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eStep 2: Soak the Seeds\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlace the scarified seeds in clean, room-temperature water for approximately 2 to 3 hours.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eRemove them after soaking and sow promptly.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eStep 3: Prepare the Growing Medium\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eFill small pots or propagation cells with a clean, free-draining seed-raising mix.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eMoisten the mix before sowing and allow excess water to drain. It should be evenly moist without being saturated.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eStep 4: Sow the Seeds\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eSow one seed per pot or propagation cell approximately 5 to 8 mm deep.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eCover lightly with growing medium and water gently to settle the seed into place.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eStep 5: Maintain Warm, Even Conditions\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eKeep the growing medium at approximately 20 to 25°C.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide bright filtered light and maintain even moisture throughout germination. Avoid both prolonged drying and waterlogged conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eStep 6: Allow Time for Germination\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eAllow approximately 3 to 8 weeks for germination under suitable conditions.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIndividual seeds may emerge at different times. Continue caring for sound ungerminated pots rather than repeatedly disturbing the growing medium to check the seeds.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003eStep 7: Pot On and Acclimatise\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eOnce seedlings have developed several true leaves and a healthy root system, transplant them carefully into progressively larger containers as required.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eProvide good natural light and gradually acclimatise young plants to stronger direct sunlight as they establish.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGermination Notice:\u003c\/strong\u003e Seeds are living botanical material and germination cannot be guaranteed. Results vary according to seed condition, pre-treatment, temperature, moisture, growing medium and ongoing care.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003ePlant Care \u0026amp; Maintenance\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLight \u0026amp; Position:\u003c\/strong\u003e Grow established Mastic Trees in full sun. Acclimatise young plants gradually before exposing them to intense direct sunlight.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSoil \u0026amp; Drainage:\u003c\/strong\u003e Choose sandy, loamy or gritty soil with excellent drainage. Avoid positions where water remains around the roots for extended periods.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWater:\u003c\/strong\u003e Maintain reliable moisture while young plants establish. Once established, allow the soil to dry between deeper waterings. Mature plants are naturally well adapted to seasonal dryness.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMature Size:\u003c\/strong\u003e Allow approximately 2.5 to 4 metres in suitable cultivated conditions. Container cultivation and selective pruning can maintain a smaller specimen.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePruning:\u003c\/strong\u003e Prune selectively to shape the plant, improve airflow or maintain a compact growth habit.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFlowering \u0026amp; Fruiting:\u003c\/strong\u003e \u003cem\u003ePistacia lentiscus\u003c\/em\u003e is normally dioecious, meaning male and female flowers occur on separate plants. Fruit development requires a mature female plant with access to compatible pollen.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eContainers:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mastic Tree can be maintained in a large container where excellent drainage, adequate root space and ongoing watering are provided.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eShipping \u0026amp; Biosecurity\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eACT\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAvailable\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNSW\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAvailable\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNT\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAvailable\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eQLD\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAvailable\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSA\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAvailable\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTAS\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eConditions apply\u003cbr\u003ePlease verify current Tasmanian small-weight seed import requirements before ordering.\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/nre.tas.gov.au\/biosecurity-tasmania\/plant-biosecurity\/small-weight-seed-imports\"\u003eView Tasmanian seed import requirements →\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eVIC\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAvailable\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWA\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eAvailable\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eINTERNATIONAL\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eConditions apply\u003cbr\u003ePlease confirm your destination's import requirements before ordering. International post is available where permitted. Sacred Plants Australia does not provide phytosanitary certificates.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003csmall\u003eLast Reviewed: 1 October 2026\u003cbr\u003e\u003ca href=\"\/pages\/biosecurity-import-information\"\u003eBiosecurity \u0026amp; Shipping Information →\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/small\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sacred Plants Australia","offers":[{"title":"Starter Pack 5 Seeds","offer_id":53878543089958,"sku":"MTS-5","price":14.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"Best Value Pack 15 Seeds • Save 33%","offer_id":53878543122726,"sku":"MTS-15","price":29.95,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1035\/7656\/8102\/files\/sacred-plants-australia-mastic-tree-seeds-pistacia-lentiscus-fruiting-berries-foliage.png?v=1790327447","url":"https:\/\/sacredplants.com.au\/products\/mastic-tree-seeds-pistacia-lentiscus","provider":"Sacred Plants Australia","version":"1.0","type":"link"}