Royal Poinciana
Delonix regia
Tropical Plants Difficulty: Moderate
📖 About this plant
Often called the Flame Tree or Flamboyant, this is one of the most spectacular flowering trees in the world. In late spring and summer, it erupts into a breathtaking canopy of brilliant orange-red flowers, completely obscuring the fern-like foliage. The flat, woody seed pods can reach 60 cm long. The national flower of Madagascar and a beloved ornamental tree in tropical cities worldwide.
🧑🌾 Care requirements
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Light
Full sun (8+ hrs)
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Water
Every 1-2 weeks
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Humidity
Moderate (50-65%)
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Temperature
20-38°C
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Soil
Well-draining, slightly acidic to neutral soil; adapts to sandy, loamy, or clay soils as long as drainage is good
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Fertilizer
Balanced slow-release fertilizer in spring; phosphorus-rich fertilizer to encourage flowering
📋 Plant facts
- 🌍 Origin
- Madagascar; naturalized throughout tropical and subtropical regions worldwide
- 📏 Max height
- 900-1200+ cm (large canopy tree)
- 📐 Spread
- 600-1200 cm
- 🕰️ Bloom time
- Late Spring - Summer
- 🎨 Bloom color
- Red, Orange
- 🍃 Foliage color
- Green
- ⏳ Lifespan
- Perennial
- 📈 Growth rate
- Fast
- ☠️ Toxicity
- Non-toxic to humans and pets; seed pods and flowers are not known to be harmful
- 🌱 Propagation
- Seeds — soak in hot water for 24 hours before sowing to break dormancy; semi-hardwood cuttings
🛡️ Health & Safety
🐾 Pet safe
✅ Non-toxic
Non-toxic to humans and pets; seed pods and flowers are not known to be harmful
Common issues
- Caterpillar defoliation, Scale insects, Root rot in waterlogged soil, Branch dieback
💡 Care tips
- Also called Flame Tree for its spectacular orange-red flower canopy,Requires a frost-free climate to survive outdoors year-round,Deciduous in dry season creating a dramatic display,Broad spreading canopy provides excellent shade in tropical gardens
🪴 Add to My Plants
One click — added instantly. Watering every 11 days, fertilizing every 30 days.
