Calliandra (Powder Puff)
Calliandra haematocephala
📖 About this plant
Calliandra haematocephala, commonly called Powder Puff, Fairy Duster, or Blood-red Tassel Flower, is a charming tropical shrub prized for its unique, powder-puff-like flowers that look like soft, fluffy balls of silk thread. Native to Bolivia, Calliandra has become a beloved ornamental in Indian gardens — used as a hedge, foundation planting, specimen plant, or in containers. The plant produces round (5-8 cm across) flower heads consisting of dozens of long, silky stamens in shades of red, pink, or white — giving the appearance of a powder puff or cheerleader pom-pom. The flowers bloom almost continuously in warm climates and are highly attractive to butterflies, bees, and sunbirds. The plant is a member of the Fabaceae (legume) family and fixes nitrogen through symbiotic bacteria in root nodules — improving soil fertility and making it valuable for companion planting and agroforestry. The leaves are bipinnate and exhibit “nyctinasty” — they fold closed at night or in dark conditions, like mimosa leaves, creating a sleeping appearance that is fascinating to observe. Beyond ornamental value, Calliandra has medicinal uses in traditional South American medicine — the leaves are used to treat wounds, the bark for digestive disorders. The plant is also used as a fodder crop (leaves are high in protein), for erosion control on slopes, and as a shade tree in coffee and cacao plantations. The dwarf form (Calliandra haematocephala “Nana” or “Compacta”) grows only 60-90 cm tall and is perfect for containers and small gardens.
🧑🌾 Care requirements
Full sun to partial shade
2-3 times per week
Moderate to high (50-80%)
15-32°C
Well-draining loamy soil rich in organic matter; pH 5.5-7.0
Balanced NPK every 6-8 weeks during growing season; add compost annually
📋 Plant facts
- 🌍 Origin
- Bolivia, South America (widely planted across tropical Asia)
- 📏 Max height
- 1-4 m as a shrub
- 📐 Spread
- 1-2 m
- 🕰️ Bloom time
- Year-round in tropics; peak autumn to spring
- 🎨 Bloom color
- Red, pink, or white powder-puff-like flowers 5-8 cm across
- 🍃 Foliage color
- Dark green, bipinnate leaves that fold closed at night (nyctinasty)
- ⏳ Lifespan
- 10-20 years
- 📈 Growth rate
- Fast — 60-100 cm per year
- ☠️ Toxicity
- Non-toxic — safe for humans and pets
- 🌱 Propagation
- Stem cuttings (semi-hardwood, root in 4-6 weeks), seeds (need scarification)
🛡️ Health & Safety
Non-toxic — safe for humans and pets
Common issues
- Aphids on new growth, scale insects, mealybugs, spider mites in dry conditions, leaf spot diseases in humid weather, chlorosis in alkaline soil, root rot from poor drainage
💡 Care tips
- Plant in full sun to partial shade — best with morning sun and afternoon shade in hot regions. Provide well-draining soil rich in organic matter. The plant is perfect for hedges — space plants 90-120 cm apart and prune regularly to maintain shape and density. Calliandra tolerates hard pruning and can be shaped into formal hedges, topiaries, or small standards (tree form). Feed with balanced fertilizer every 6-8 weeks during the growing season. The plant is perfect for containers — use a 14-16 inch pot with well-draining potting mix. Prune after each major bloom to encourage reblooming. The plant is evergreen in frost-free climates; in colder regions it may die to the ground and resprout. The plant is nitrogen-fixing and improves soil fertility — plant near other plants that benefit from nitrogen. Calliandra attracts butterflies, bees, and sunbirds when in flower — plant near seating areas to enjoy the wildlife show. The dwarf form is perfect for small gardens, containers, and as a low hedge. The leaves fold closed at night — a fascinating behaviour to observe.
