West Indian Holly Plant Care

West Indian Holly (Tabebuia pallida) belongs to the Bignoniaceae family within the Tabebuia genus. West Indian Holly is native to the Caribbean. West Indian Holly is also known as Pink Trumpet Tree, Roble.

West Indian Holly displays a tall, upright tree growth habit, reaching up to 30 ft tall with a spread of approximately 20 ft. West Indian Holly produces showy trumpet-shaped flowers in various colors.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted West Indian Holly 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.

West Indian Holly thrives in full sun.

Tabebuia pallida tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. West Indian Holly prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining sandy soil with some organic matter. Good drainage is essential for West Indian Holly to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed West Indian Holly 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 sandy soil with some organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

West Indian Holly 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.

West Indian Holly 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 West Indian Holly 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.

West Indian Holly 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.

West Indian Holly can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to pink trumpet tree plant care, which shares the same genus.

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West Indian Holly 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.

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