Jacaranda Tree Information - How To Grow A Jacaranda Tree

How to grow jacarandas

Plant in rich, well-drained soil in a sunny spot with protection from winds.
Water the soil around it regularly in summer.
Don't prune, because this will promote vertical growth that will destroy the magnificent, spreading, dome-like canopy.
It thrives in tropical and warm, temperate areas.

How long does a jacaranda tree take to grow?

They reach maturity in about 20 years and are capable of re-growth if damaged from fresh falling seeds.

Are jacarandas slow growing?

Jacarandas thrive in tropical and warm temperate climates, but they can be grown in cooler areas which get light frosts, but they usually don't flower as well in these cooler zones, and they are also slower-growing, and smaller there.

Can you keep a jacaranda tree small?

You can annually prune the Jacaranda to keep it small. The roots of a tree fern will grow deep (several feet, depending upon water availability) and extend out only 2-4 feet from the base of the plant.

Are jacaranda trees invasive?

It is regarded as an invasive species in some areas because it out-competes the native plants. In South Africa, for example, trade in this species is prohibited, and planting a jacaranda requires special permission.

Do jacaranda trees need lots of water?

As a general rule, water your jacaranda tree when the top three inches of soil feels dry to the touch. These trees need consistent moisture throughout the year and often require additional watering during periods of high heat and/or dryness.

Can jacarandas grow in pots?

Container grown jacaranda trees will need to be planted in 5-gallon or larger pots filled with a sandy loam potting mix. Excellent draining soil is essential to the health and vigor of potted jacarandas. The soil should be kept moist, but not soggy, throughout the active growing season.

What month do jacarandas flower?

The trees usually start blooming from mid-October before a peak in mid-November. But the dry and warm winter this year has seen some jacaranda trees flowering profusely ahead of schedule.

Are jacarandas poisonous?

They're poisonous if you eat them fresh from the branch. Some grevillea species can trigger itching, redness and rashes if children have an allergic reaction on contact. All parts, especially the leaves, are poisonous (the stems are safe when cooked).

How far do Jacaranda roots spread?

The ultimate size of a tree's root mass will depend upon growing conditions - soil type and watering practices - but in general terms, the Jacaranda will develop roots in the top 18-24 inches of soil and spread out nearly twice as far as the canopy is wide.

How big do jacaranda trees get?

Mature jacaranda trees can reach 25 to 45 feet, with an oval canopy that spreads almost as wide as the tree's height. Up close, the trumpet-shaped flowers are an inch or two long, and usually five-petaled.

Can you top a jacaranda tree?

When done properly, jacaranda tree trimming strengthens the tree by limiting the growth to well-shaped side shoots on a single trunk. Examine young saplings to select a strong central leader. ... This will become the trunk of the tree. You'll have to remove competing leaders every three years for the first 15 to 20 years.

What can I plant under a jacaranda tree?

If they are planted near a house or other building, position them to the north or west so they cast summer shade. Underplant as the tree grows with shade-loving clivia, azalea and bromeliads.

Where should you not plant a jacaranda tree?

Do not plant a jacaranda tree in a position where its branches will arch over a swimming pool. When the flowers fall in autumn, they will blanket the surface of the pool and can clog the water filter.

Are jacarandas a pest?

The jacaranda tree can get aphids and scale, just like many other garden plants. Another insect pest, the glassy-winged sharpshooter, can also infest its leaves. ... Over pruning or planting in shade can prevent a jacaranda from blooming.

Do jacaranda trees smell?

It's blossoms have a mild sweet honey smell, but when they drop they are very fleshy and get stepped on and smeared and the sidewalks get slippery. If you have an avenue lined with Jacaranda trees they smell pretty musky then.

Why are my jacaranda trees dying?

If the jacaranda is stressed from too little water, the leaves yellow, wilt and drop prematurely. Those getting too much water are more likely to have smaller than normal leaves, branch tip die-off and premature leaf drop. Overwatering also leaches minerals from the soil, which may also be a factor with a sick tree.

Do jacaranda trees lose their leaves in winter?

Jacarandas are giving the city a sensational seasonal makeover. ... Jacarandas (Jacaranda mimosifolia) are native to South America, so they thrive in tropical and warm-temperate climates. They are deciduous but only briefly, as their leaves drop in late winter and early spring to reappear with, or just after, the flowers.

What soil do jacarandas like?

Jacaranda trees typically thrive in warm climates and in sandy soil - they do not need special attention in such conditions. This is also a reason why you should let the soil dry out before watering it again.

When should I fertilize my jacaranda tree?

It thrives in any type of well-drained soil, even in nutritionally poor areas. The ample flower and leaf litter from the tree itself provides all the fertilizer the Jacaranda needs to grow. However, an extra dose of fertilizer added between May and July will increase the tree's growth rate and flowering ability.

How do you fertilize a jacaranda tree?

Yearly applications of a 10-10-10 nitrogen, phosphorous, potassium slow-release granular fertilizer will provide the tree with needed nutrients. An application rate of 1 tablespoon per square foot of soil underneath the tree's canopy is suitable.

Can I grow a jacaranda tree from seed?

Jacaranda is easy to propagate by cuttings and seed. Cuttings will produce flowers in a season or two. Jacarandas grown from seed will take years to reach flowering age. The best way to start a jacaranda from seed is to plant it indoors in spring.