Powder puff

Sun

Full sun to partial shade; flowering is best with plenty of direct sun.

Water

Water regularly while establishing, then deeply when the upper soil dries. Container plants need more frequent watering, but should never stand in water.

Soil

Fertile, well-drained soil; slightly acidic to neutral conditions are ideal. Use a free-draining potting mix in containers.

Height

10-15 ft (3-4.6 m), occasionally taller in tropical gardens

Spread

10-15 ft (3-4.6 m)

Flowers

Bright red powder-puff flower heads, mainly from autumn through spring in warm climates, with intermittent flowers at other times.

Foliage

Evergreen. Fine-textured, twice-divided green leaves with numerous small leaflets that fold together at night.

Growth

Fast in warm conditions with adequate moisture.

Care needed

Medium

• Pollinators
• Heat tolerant
• Low allergen

Northern hemisphere months. In Australia, shift them by six.

Difficulty

Moderate

Toughness

Fairly tough

Pick your zone, country, light and whether you have pets.

1. Planting day

   1.6 ft (0.5 m)

2. After 1 year

   5 ft (1.5 m)

3. After 2 years

   8 ft (2.5 m)

4. After 3 years

   12 ft (3.5 m)

5. After 5 years

   12 ft (3.8 m)

   full size

About 3 years to full size.

From a typical nursery size, at an average rate for this kind of plant. A rule of thumb, not a forecast.

Cats and dogs

Safe

Growth rate

Fast

• Plant in a sheltered position away from cold winds; frost can damage leaves and shoots.
• Water deeply during establishment and dry spells, allowing the surface soil to dry between waterings.
• Apply a balanced slow-release fertiliser in spring at the label rate; avoid heavy feeding with nitrogen.
• Mulch over the root area, keeping mulch clear of the stems.
• Move container plants into a bright, frost-free space before cold weather and reduce watering during winter.

Pruning. Prune after the main flowering flush, once frost risk has passed, shortening long shoots and removing dead or crossing branches. Pinch young shoots to encourage bushiness, or gradually remove lower branches to develop a small tree.

Spring

Once frost risk has passed, plant out in warm regions or repot container plants that have filled their pots.

Spring

Feed established plants and renew mulch without covering the base of the stems.

Late spring

After the main flowering flush, prune lightly to control size and encourage branching.

Summer

Check soil moisture regularly, especially in pots, and inspect soft growth for sap-sucking pests.

Early autumn

Move potted plants under cover before nights become cold; avoid hard pruning as flower buds develop.

Winter

Keep overwintering plants in bright, frost-free conditions and water sparingly without letting the root ball dry out completely.

• Use as a flowering specimen in a sheltered lawn or broad mixed border, allowing room for its spreading canopy.
• Train as a small tree beside a patio, where the fine foliage gives light shade.
• Grow in a large courtyard container where winter shelter is available.
• Combine with hibiscus, cannas and gingers for contrasting leaf shapes and a long warm-season display.

Garden styles it suits: Tropical, Modern tropical, Luxury resort, Modern courtyard, Pollinator garden and Florida subtropical.

Plant it with: Tropical hibiscus, Canna, Shell ginger, Bird of paradise, Agapanthus and Lilyturf.

Wildlife: The flowers provide nectar for hummingbirds where they occur, as well as butterflies and other visiting insects.

• Spider mites can cause pale, stippled leaves, especially under glass; increase air circulation, rinse foliage and use a labelled treatment if needed.
• Scale insects and mealybugs cause sticky honeydew and sooty mould; remove small infestations by hand and treat persistent colonies with a suitable horticultural oil or insecticidal soap.
• Yellowing, wilting and root rot can follow waterlogging; improve drainage and let the upper soil dry before watering again.
• Cold can cause leaf drop and shoot dieback; provide frost protection and wait until spring growth starts before cutting back damaged wood.

Not known to be toxic to people, cats, dogs or horses, but species-specific safety information is limited. Do not treat the leaves, flowers or seed pods as edible, and discourage pets and children from chewing them.

• Pink powder puff (Calliandra surinamensis)

  Its flower heads are usually white at the base with pink tips, and its leaves have fewer, larger leaflets.

• Fairy duster (Calliandra eriophylla)

  A much smaller, open shrub of dry regions, with smaller leaves and pale pink flower heads.

• Persian silk tree (Albizia julibrissin)

  A larger deciduous tree with a broad, spreading crown and pink flower clusters rather than the rounded red heads of powder puff.

Calliandra comes from Greek words referring to beautiful stamens, while haematocephala means blood-red head, describing the flowers.

Propagation. Take semi-ripe cuttings in summer and root them in a humid, warm propagator. Seed can also be used; lightly nick the hard seed coat and soak before sowing in warmth.

Accepted botanical name

Calliandra haematocephala

In the US and Canada

Introduced in Pacific Basin.

Native range

Bolivia.

Measured

Average height 273 cm.

Sources: GBIF (CC BY 4.0), USDA PLANTS and Trefle (CC BY 4.0). The care and design notes are LandscapeGPT's own.