Plant Care Caesalpinia Pulcherrima

Caesalpinia Pulcherrima

About Caesalpinia Pulcherrima

The Pride of Barbados is an evergreen shrub or small tree that is a member of the Fabaceae or legume family. It is originally from Mexico and the Caribbean and has beautiful showy orange-red flowers, fern-like leaves, and prickles on its stems and branches. In the tropics, it may grow 15-20 feet tall and equally as wide. It's a deciduous shrub in zone 9 and perennial in zone 8.

Taxonomy

Caesalpinia pulcherrima
Caesalpinia
Fabaceae
Fabales

Also known as

Dwarf Poinciana, Dwarf Poinciana, Poinciana, Peacock flower, Red bird of paradise, Mexican bird of paradise, Pride of barbados, Flos pavonis, Flamboyant-de-jardin and ʻohai aliʻi

How to care for Caesalpinia Pulcherrima

💦 Water

How often to water your Caesalpinia Pulcherrima

Water needs for Caesalpinia Pulcherrima
0.5 cups
every 9

Caesalpinia Pulcherrima needs 0.5 cups of water every 9 when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5" pot.

Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Calculate water needs of Caesalpinia Pulcherrima

Water 0.5 cups every
9

Does your plant get direct sunlight?

Select the pot size

5"
☀️ Light

Finding light for Dwarf Poinciana in your home

Light needs and placement for plant Caesalpinia Pulcherrima: 1ft from a window
1ft or less from
a window

Caesalpinia Pulcherrima love being close to bright, sunny windows 😎.

Place it less than 1ft from a south-facing window to maximize the potential for growth.

Caesalpinia Pulcherrima does not tolerate low-light 🚫.

Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement of Caesalpinia Pulcherrima in your home 🏡.

🪴 Nutrients

How to fertilize Caesalpinia Pulcherrima

Nutrient, fertilizer, and repotting needs for Caesalpinia Pulcherrima: repot after 2X growth

Most potting soils come with ample nutrients which plants use to produce new growth.

By the time your plant has depleted the nutrients in its soil it’s likely grown enough to need a larger pot anyway.

To replenish this plant's nutrients, repot your Caesalpinia Pulcherrima after it doubles in size or once a year—whichever comes first.

💡 FAQs
⭐ Difficulty Level

Caesalpinia Pulcherrima is generally considered an easy-to-care-for plant and makes a great choice for beginners!

Benefits of Growing Dwarf Poinciana →

Common Dwarf Poinciana Problems →


💦 Water Needs

Caesalpinia Pulcherrima prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants.

Dwarf Poinciana Water Frequency →

Dwarf Poinciana Root Rot →


☀️ Sunlight Needs

Caesalpinia Pulcherrima requires abundant, bright and direct light. Place it less than one foot from a window to ensure it receives enough light to survive 💪. Select your region to see how the current weather in your area affects the placement in your home 🏡.

Dwarf Poinciana Light Requirements →

Dwarf Poinciana Direct Sunlight Needs & Tolerance →


🐶 🐈 👶 Toxicity

Caesalpinia Pulcherrima is not safe to consume. If you, a family member, or a pet has ingested any amount of plant material contact Poison Control, US (800) 222-1222, or your veterinarian. If you have children, cats, or dogs in the home, we suggest keeping this plant out of reach.


🪴 Soil

Caesalpinia Pulcherrima does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick!

When and How to Successfully Repot Dwarf Poinciana →


💩 Fertilizer

Caesalpinia Pulcherrima is a fast growing plant and may deplete the nutrients in its soil over time. Replenish them with a gentle organic fertilizer or compost every 1-2 months depending on your location and season. Fertilize more often during the growing season and in warmer and brighter climates.

How Much and When to Fertilize Dwarf Poinciana →


⬆️ ⬇️ Growth Pattern

Caesalpinia Pulcherrima will branch off as it grows. To encourage branching, pinch off the newest growth at the tip and the stem will branch off into two.

How and When to Prune Dwarf Poinciana →


🌦️ Growing Outdoors

USDA Hardiness Zone
Caesalpinia Pulcherrima can be grown outdoors in USDA Hardiness Zones 9a-11b. Find your local hardiness zone here.

Dwarf Poinciana Temperature Tolerance →


🌱 Propagation

The seeds of Caesalpinia Pulcherrima can be used to grow new plants! After your plant flowers, any seeds that formed can be collected and germinated in potting soil.


🧐 Troubleshooting

When troubleshooting a sad-looking houseplant, start by checking for signs of distress in its leaves, such as yellowing, browning, or drooping, which can indicate overwatering or nutrient deficiencies.

Inspect the soil moisture; too dry or too wet soil can cause problems.

Ensure the plant is getting the right amount of light, as too much or too little can stress it.

Finally, consider environmental factors like temperature and humidity, and adjust care routines accordingly to revive your plant.


Care Summary for Caesalpinia Pulcherrima

Caesalpinia Pulcherrima

Caesalpinia Pulcherrima


Greg recommends:

Water

0.5 cups every 9 days

Placement

< 1ft from a window

Nutrients

Repot after 2x growth

Based on the 4” pot your plant is in, and that it doesn’t get direct sunlight.

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