Is it hardy where you live (you say California, but not where in California). If so, why haven't you planted it???

How large is the pot it's in and how large is the plant? Do you check for soil moisture levels? If so, how?

These are tough plants. But that 5 gal. container is what is stressing your plant--it is much, much too small. Durantas really are happier in the ground. I recommend you greatly increase the size of the container, then plant your duranta in the ground when cooler weather comes around. It helps if you are able to protect the container (and later the roots) from hot sun, by using other plants or a wall as a shield, for example.

You also need to get it used to full sun. Sun lovers are not happy being in low light conditions for extended periods of time. (Probably explains the lack of flowers, too). But you will need to very gradually get the plant used to bright conditions again, because the foliage is soft from the shade and will scorch. A plant dolly might be useful for moving the container around. High shade (under mature trees that have been limbed up, providing bright but very protected light to understory plants), or exposing it to only the cooler very early or late sun can harden off the foliage. By slowly, I mean gradually increasing the light levels and duration over 5-6 weeks (or longer, especially during heat and considering the plant has been in excessive shade for a long period of time).

Fertilizing a wilted plant is not recommended; it will just increase the stress. Durantas seem to do fine without supplemental nutrition, even in poor-quality soils.

Not as urgent is the stake of your plant. It really should be moved farther from the trunk, and be tethered looser. You want the trunk to sway some with winds, but not break. This will force the trunk to gain enough girth strength to support the canopy. The goal is to make the trunk strong enough that the support stake can be removed.

edit: One option changed to I recommend you since I removed the second option prior to posting.

Great advice, I really appreciate it!

I live in the Los Angeles area. The reason why I haven't planted it into the ground was because I'm not going to be living here for more than 3 years and would like to eventually bring this tree with us when we move to another state or area. Also, I am totally fine with it being a small tree.

That makes total sense that the container is way too small for it. I just thought I could compensate for it by watering it well and touching the soil during the day to make sure the dirt is still moist. My next question is, would it be possible to keep it in the container and maybe prune the tree back so it's smaller and so it won't be stressed anymore? Is that how it works or no?

I can definitely try finding a spot for it that gets a limited amount of sun per day to gradually get it used to having more sun.

I've attached two more photos to show more detail of the tree.

Again, I really appreciate the help. I'm completely new to this and this is really the first tree I've ever purchased.

"...that 5 gal. container is what is stressing your plant..."

Info from another post or ESP? I can't see where a container size was given.

"You also need to get it used to full sun."

...but you MUST fix the soil moisture problem (possibly due to container size relative to moisture requirements) FIRST! Sticking it out in its current condition would probably kill it.

Brandon- so is the tree not getting enough moisture throughout the day? I was wondering if it's getting too much or not enough water since a few leaves were turning yellowish and no leaves were falling off or turning brown. Led me to think that I was maybe watering too much, but I could be totally off.

Sorry Brandon, no ESP talent; just detective work. ;) If you click on rallykat8's name, the photo I used to judge the size of the container is in the ideabook. And changing the container was the first thing I wrote to do, but I see now when I removed part of the first paragraph, and forgot to also remove the words "one option" it changed the meaning. I will edit it to be clearer.

yikes thats a huge plant in a rather tiny pot ...

its a water issue.. related to pot size.. and maybe even media issues ...

its stressed.. not hungry.. no more fert.. until we fix the stress ...

can it go in the ground.. and if not.. then the next question is.. how big a freakin pot it will need... and secondarily.. what kind of media to use in the pot ... the media is almost more important ...

ken

I have one in a pot in SW florida. It droops when needs watered. I Transplanted in bigger pot. I believe roots are fast growing already growing out the bottom of pot. I agree, don’t fertilize while stressed. It‘ts most likely root bound. If you have the space plant it in the ground.