Bahama Swallowtail Plant Care

Bahama Swallowtail (Lysiloma latisiliquum) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Lysiloma genus. Bahama Swallowtail is native to southern Florida in the United States, the Bahamas, Cuba, southern Mexico, and Belize. Bahama Swallowtail is also known as False Tamarind, Guacimaro.

Bahama Swallowtail displays an upright, spreading tree growth habit, reaching up to 30 ft tall with a spread of approximately 20 ft. Bahama Swallowtail produces small clusters of yellow flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Bahama Swallowtail every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Bahama Swallowtail thrives in full sun.

Lysiloma latisiliquum tolerates temperatures of 60–90°F. Bahama Swallowtail prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining sandy soil mix with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Bahama Swallowtail to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Bahama Swallowtail every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun and well-draining sandy soil mix with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Bahama Swallowtail is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Bahama Swallowtail can spread to about 20 ft (6.1 m) and reach about 30 ft (9 m) tall. Space plants about 20 ft (6.1 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Bahama Swallowtail while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Bahama Swallowtail is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Bahama Swallowtail can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to candida plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Bahama Swallowtail is susceptible to aphids, leafhoppers, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Bahama Swallowtail grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Bahama Swallowtail is native to southern Florida in the United States, the Bahamas, Cuba, southern Mexico, and Belize. In cooler regions, grow Bahama Swallowtail as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.