Red Silk Cotton Tree Plant Care

Red Silk Cotton Tree (Bombax buonopozense) belongs to the Malvaceae family within the Bombax genus. Red Silk Cotton Tree is also known as Cotton Tree.

Red Silk Cotton Tree displays a tall, upright tree growth habit, reaching up to 30 ft tall with a spread of approximately 15 ft. Red Silk Cotton Tree produces large, showy red or pink flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 8 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Red Silk Cotton Tree 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.

Red Silk Cotton Tree thrives in full sun.

Bombax buonopozense tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Red Silk Cotton Tree prefers humidity levels of 50–80%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Well-draining loamy soil with added sand and perlite for improved drainage. Good drainage is essential for Red Silk Cotton Tree to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Red Silk Cotton Tree 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 loamy soil with added sand and perlite for improved drainage. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Red Silk Cotton Tree 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.

Red Silk Cotton Tree 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 Red Silk Cotton Tree 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.

Red Silk Cotton Tree 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.

Red Silk Cotton Tree can be propagated through seeds, air layering. Similar propagation techniques also apply to cotton tree plant care, which shares the same genus.

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Red Silk Cotton Tree is susceptible to aphids, scale insects. 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.

Red Silk Cotton Tree grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Red Silk Cotton Tree as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.