Jacarandá (Jacaranda mimosifolia)
Discover the spectacular Jacarandá, Jacaranda mimosifolia. This deciduous tree offers striking blue-purple blooms and fern-like foliage. Ideal for Zones 10-11.
Complete Plant Information
Overview
The arrival of the spectacular bloom of Jacaranda mimosifolia signals summer in tropical and subtropical regions, draping the tree in unforgettable masses of blue-purple flowers. This magnificent specimen, known widely as Jacarandá, is highly sought after for its ornamental value, creating ephemeral carpets of color when the flowers drop. While it is a substantial deciduous tree in its native range, gardeners in marginal areas must adapt their care to successfully cultivate this beauty.
Native to Argentina and Bolivia, the Jacarandá is a fixture in warm landscapes where it demands full sun and consistent moisture to thrive. Beyond its seasonal floral show, the foliage itself is ornamental, consisting of finely divided, fern-like leaves that contrast beautifully with the trumpet-shaped flowers. Planning its placement is key, as a mature Jacaranda mimosifolia can reach heights of 50 feet.
For those outside the perfect warm climate, this plant offers unique appeal as a container specimen, allowing the grower to manage overwintering indoors. Whether planted firmly in the ground or carefully tended in a pot, the value of the Jacarandá lies in its bold seasonal statement and elegant leaf structure.
Fast Facts
- Plant Family: Bignoniaceae
- Plant Type: Tree
- Native Range: Argentina, Bolivia
- Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 10-11
- Size at Maturity:
- Height: 25-50 ft
- Spread: 15-30 ft
- Bloom Time: June to July
- Bloom Description: Blue-purple
- Sun Exposure: Full sun
- Water Needs: Medium
- Maintenance Level: Medium
How to Grow
Planting the Jacaranda mimosifolia should occur when all danger of frost has passed, ensuring it has time to establish before seasonal temperature shifts. The ideal soil is fertile, sandy, and critically, well-drained. This species thrives when positioned in full sun to ensure prolific flowering, and it appreciates the heat and humidity often found in subtropical settings.
Care throughout the growing season must focus on consistent moisture; treat the requirement as medium, but never allow the soil around your Jacarandá to completely dry out. While established trees tolerate brief dips near 20°F, growers must recognize that hardiness is typically limited to USDA Zones 10 and 11. For gardeners in cooler regions, like the St. Louis area mentioned in cultivation notes, treating the tree as a container plant is the only viable option for long-term survival.
Container-grown specimens require special attention concerning seasonal relocation. You must bring pots indoors before the first frost hits, overwintering them in a location that is both bright and cool. Be aware that young plants, particularly those kept in containers, often prioritize foliage growth and may skip blooming entirely until they achieve greater maturity and resilience.
Landscape Uses
In regions where the Jacarandá can be grown permanently, its suggested use as a flowering tree centers on creating dramatic focal points. Plant it where the canopy can spread, perhaps anchoring a large lawn area or situated as a singular specimen to maximize the visibility of the spring bloom. The falling flowers create a temporary purple ground cover, which is best appreciated over hardscaping like driveways or patios, where clean-up is easier.
When utilizing the Jacaranda mimosifolia in tropical landscapes, consider planting complementary species that offer textural contrast, such as coarse, broad-leafed palms or evergreen shrubs that remain green when the Jacarandá is deciduous. Its suitability also extends to large containers, making it an excellent, albeit high-maintenance, choice for patios or entryways in cooler climates. In these cooler zones, the container restriction turns the Jacarandá into a statement piece that moves indoors for winter protection.
Standout Features
Flower Qualities
- Showy
Noteworthy Characteristics
Jacaranda mimosifolia, commonly called jacaranda, is native to Argentina and Bolivia. It is a deciduous tree that grows 25-50’ tall in its native habitat. In tropical and subtropical climates, it puts on a spectacular flowering display in spring to summer wherein blue-purple flowers cover the tree with bloom, forming pools of blue on the ground as they fall. Flowers (to 2” long) appear in 12-inch terminal panicles in spring and early summer. Flowers give way to flattened 2-inch capsules, each containing numerous winged seeds. In St. Louis, jacaranda may only be grown in containers. Container plants often do not bloom, so in areas such as St. Louis, it is grown primarily as a foliage plant. Features large bipinnate compound fern-like leaves (to 18” long) with tiny 1/2-inch leaflets. Sometimes commonly called fern tree. Synonymous with Jacaranda acutifolia.Genus name comes from the Latinized Brazilian name.Specific epithet means with leaves that resemble those of mimosa.
Tolerances
Potential Problems
This species generally enjoys robust health, reporting no serious insect or disease problems when grown outdoors in ideal conditions. However, when cultivated as an indoor or container plant, gardeners should be vigilant for common houseplant pests. Specifically watch for infestations of aphids and whiteflies, which can quickly compromise the appearance of the fine foliage. Regular inspection, especially of the undersides of leaves, and the use of insecticidal soap are effective management techniques for these minor issues.
Frequently Asked Questions
What hardiness zones is Jacarandá suitable for?
Jacarandá is reliably hardy in USDA Zones 10 through 11, though established trees might tolerate extremely brief dips near 20°F.
How large does Jacaranda mimosifolia grow?
In its premier growing areas, the Jacaranda mimosifolia tree commonly reaches heights between 25 and 50 feet, with a spread ranging from 15 to 30 feet wide.
What sun exposure does Jacaranda mimosifolia need?
This flowering tree requires full sun exposure to achieve its best performance and most abundant blue-purple bloom display.
When does Jacarandá bloom?
The striking bloom time for Jacarandá is typically from June through July, presenting magnificent clusters of blue-purple flowers.
Conclusion
For gardeners in the correct warm climate, the Jacaranda mimosifolia provides unparalleled aesthetic impact through its dramatic flowering and delicate foliage. Successfully growing the Jacarandá requires providing consistent moisture and a commitment to full sun exposure. Before planting, confirm your location falls within USDA Zones 10–11 to ensure your magnificent Jacarandá thrives for years to come.
Container Growing
For those living outside USDA Zones 10-11, container cultivation is the pathway to enjoying this unique tree. Select a pot large enough to accommodate significant root growth, understanding that the tree will need repotting every few years or root pruning to remain manageable. Ensure the potting medium is extremely well-draining, mimicking the preferred sandy soil structure of its native habitat.
Containerized Jacarandá maintenance focuses heavily on overwintering needs. Before the first hard frost, move the tree to a bright spot where temperatures remain cool—ideally just above freezing but not overly warm. A cool, bright basement or greenhouse is suitable. Reduced watering is necessary during this dormant period, as the tree is not actively putting on foliage or flowering.
Remember that container plants, particularly young ones, often function primarily as foliage specimens rather than heavy bloomers. Protecting them through the colder months is essential, giving them the best chance to mature enough to reward you with the signature blue-purple color when placed back outdoors in the summer sun.
Design Ideas
The sheer visual dominance of the Jacarandá makes it an excellent candidate for specimen planting where its canopy can be fully appreciated. In large sub-tropical yards, consider planting it near structures that might be washed with the scattered blue petals in summer, creating temporary, ethereal blue pathways. Its size also allows it to provide dappled shade over seating areas, much cooler than the dense shade of an evergreen.
When integrating Jacaranda mimosifolia into a mixed border, balance its fine texture with plants that have bold, coarse leaves, such as philodendrons or bananas, to create dynamic visual interest year-round. Since it prefers well-drained soil, pair it with other Mediterranean or semi-arid tolerant shrubs rather than moisture-loving bog plants. The overall effect should be light and breezy, reflecting the fern-like appearance of the leaves.
