Yellow Flame Plant Care

Yellow Flame (Peltophorum africanum) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Peltophorum genus. Yellow Flame is native to Africa south of the equator. Yellow Flame is also known as African Wattle, Weeping Yellowwood.

Yellow Flame displays a fast-growing tree growth habit, reaching up to 30 ft tall with a spread of approximately 20 ft. Yellow Flame produces showy clusters of bright yellow flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Yellow Flame 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.

Yellow Flame thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Peltophorum africanum tolerates temperatures of 65–85°F. Yellow Flame prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Yellow Flame to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Yellow Flame 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 loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Yellow Flame is suited to USDA Zone 13b.

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.

Yellow Flame 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 Yellow Flame 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.

Yellow Flame 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.

Yellow Flame can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to yellow flame tree plant care, which shares the same genus.

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Yellow Flame is susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, scales. 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.

Yellow Flame grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Yellow Flame is native to Africa south of the equator. In cooler regions, grow Yellow Flame as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.