Pride of Barbados Plant Care

Pride of Barbados (Caesalpinia pulcherrima) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Caesalpinia genus. Pride of Barbados is native to the tropics and subtropics of the Americas. Pride of Barbados is also known as Dwarf Poinciana, Flamboyant, Peacock Flower.

Pride of Barbados displays an upright, spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 8 ft. Pride of Barbados produces showy clusters of yellow or orange flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Pride of Barbados 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.

Pride of Barbados thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Caesalpinia pulcherrima tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Pride of Barbados prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Pride of Barbados to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Pride of Barbados 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 sandy loam with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Pride of Barbados 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.

Pride of Barbados can spread to about 8 ft (2.4 m) and reach about 6 ft (2 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 Pride of Barbados 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.

Pride of Barbados 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.

Pride of Barbados can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to mexican bird of paradise plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Pride of Barbados is susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, 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.

Pride of Barbados grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Pride of Barbados is native to the tropics and subtropics of the Americas. In cooler regions, grow Pride of Barbados as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.