Species powder puff tree
Red flowers with dark-green leaves and brown  stems.

powder puff tree

Calliandra haematocephala

The Powderpuff Tree, also known as Calliandra haematocephala, is an amazing tropical evergreen species. It has a unique rounded shape with fluffy, pink flowerheads that contrast nicely against the lush, dark green, feathery foliage. The flowers attract many different kinds of birds and butterflies, making them an important part of any wildlife garden. The wood of the Powderpuff tree is strong and durable, making it a popular choice for furniture and other woodworking projects. Perfect for use as a feature tree, it looks beautiful when planted in a container or small garden. Its ease of care and growth make it an attractive choice in any garden or landscape.

Cycle:

Perennial

Watering:

Average

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Cutting,Grafting Propagation,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

9 - 11

Flowers:

Red Flowers

Sun:

Full sun

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,red,purple

Growth Rate:

High

Maintenance:

Moderate

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

The Powder Puff Tree (Calliandra haematocephala) thrives in full sun and is quite drought-tolerant once established. Therefore, water the tree deeply but infrequently to establish a deep root system without encouraging shallow roots. To water, provide a deep, thorough watering every 2 to 3 weeks throughout spring and summer; adjust the frequency of watering, more during hot weather and less during cool weather. In fall and winter, reduce the watering frequency to once every 6 weeks. When you water, soak the soil deeply to encourage deep root growth; water should reach about 8 inches beneath the surface.

sunlight

Powder puff trees need full sun to partial shade for the most optimal growth and flowering. They need at least 6-8 hours of direct sun daily. During the hotter months of summer, they prefer some dappled shade in the late afternoon in warm areas to avoid sunburn. The tree can also withstand temperatures as low as 25 – 30°F for a short period so they can be grown in zones 9-11.

pruning

Powder puff trees (Calliandra haematocephala) need to be pruned regularly to maintain their shape and size. Generally, lightly pruning established plants annually in early spring is recommended. Begin by removing dead, damaged and crossing branches to improve air circulation. Then, selectively prune branches to reduce the overall size of the tree, if desired. When pruning, make sure to cut back to a pair of healthy buds. Using sharp, clean tools to make precise cuts is also recommended.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Calliandra haematocephala typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in April or May.

Hardiness Map