Colombian Butterfly Plant Plant Care

Colombian Butterfly Plant (Bernoullia uribeana) belongs to the Malvaceae family within the Bernoullia genus. Colombian Butterfly Plant is native to Colombia. Colombian Butterfly Plant is also known as Uribe's Bernoullia.

Colombian Butterfly Plant displays a tall, slender tree growth habit, reaching up to 30 ft tall with a spread of approximately 15 ft. Colombian Butterfly Plant produces large, showy flowers in shades of pink, red, or white.

Leaf size: approximately 8 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Colombian Butterfly Plant 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.

Colombian Butterfly Plant thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Bernoullia uribeana tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Colombian Butterfly Plant prefers humidity levels of 50–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Loamy, well-draining soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Good drainage is essential for Colombian Butterfly Plant to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Colombian Butterfly Plant 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 to partial shade and loamy, well-draining soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Colombian Butterfly Plant 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.

Colombian Butterfly Plant can spread to about 15 ft (4.6 m) and reach about 30 ft (9 m) tall. Space plants about 15 ft (4.6 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 Colombian Butterfly Plant 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.

Colombian Butterfly Plant 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.

Colombian Butterfly Plant can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to flame flower plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Colombian Butterfly Plant is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, 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.

Colombian Butterfly Plant grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Colombian Butterfly Plant is native to Colombia. In cooler regions, grow Colombian Butterfly Plant as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.