Red Fairy Duster Plant Care

Red Fairy Duster (Calliandra californica) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Calliandra genus. Red Fairy Duster is native to Baja California, Mexico. Red Fairy Duster is also known as California Fairy Duster, Calliandra californica.

Red Fairy Duster displays a small tree or shrub growth habit, reaching up to 10 ft tall with a spread of approximately 8 ft. Red Fairy Duster produces puffball-like clusters of pink or white flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Red Fairy Duster 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 Fairy Duster thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Calliandra californica tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Red Fairy Duster prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining, slightly acidic soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Good drainage is essential for Red Fairy Duster to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Red Fairy Duster 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 well-draining, slightly acidic soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Red Fairy Duster 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 Fairy Duster can spread to about 8 ft (2.4 m) and reach about 10 ft (3 m) tall. Space plants about 8 ft (2.4 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 Fairy Duster 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 Fairy Duster 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 Fairy Duster can be propagated through seeds, softwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to narrowleaf calliandra plant care, which shares the same genus.

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Red Fairy Duster 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.

Red Fairy Duster grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Red Fairy Duster is native to Baja California, Mexico. In cooler regions, grow Red Fairy Duster as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.