Tabebuia shaferi Plant Care

Tabebuia shaferi Britton

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Tabebuia shaferi is a species of plant in the family Bignoniaceae. It is endemic to Cuba.

🌳Trees🌿Shrubs🍃Climbers & Vines
Water

Every 7–14 days

Light

Full sun

Temp

60–85°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Tabebuia shaferi?

Plant Tabebuia shaferi in full sun (USDA zones 13a) and water a young tree every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F (16–29°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Tabebuia shaferi Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Tabebuia shaferi?

Tabebuia shaferi (Tabebuia shaferi) belongs to the Bignoniaceae family within the Tabebuia genus. Tabebuia shaferi is native to Cuba.

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

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Tabebuia shaferi?

Water a young or newly planted Tabebuia shaferi 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.

Watering Frequency

Every 7–14 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Tabebuia shaferi Need?

Tabebuia shaferi thrives in full sun.

Light Requirement

Full sun

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Tabebuia shaferi Prefer?

Tabebuia shaferi tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Tabebuia shaferi prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

60–85°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Tabebuia shaferi?

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

How Often Should You Fertilize a Tabebuia shaferi?

Feed Tabebuia shaferi 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.

Fertilizing

Every 6 months

During the growing season

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Where Should You Plant a Tabebuia shaferi?

Choose a spot with full sun and well-draining sandy soil with some organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Tabebuia shaferi 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.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Tabebuia shaferi?

Tabebuia shaferi 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.

How Do You Prune a Tabebuia shaferi?

Prune Tabebuia shaferi 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.

How Do You Care for a Tabebuia shaferi in Winter?

Tabebuia shaferi 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.

How Do You Propagate a Tabebuia shaferi?

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

Is the Tabebuia shaferi Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Tabebuia shaferi, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.

This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.

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

What Pests and Diseases Affect the Tabebuia shaferi?

Tabebuia shaferi 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.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Tabebuia shaferi Need?

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

Hardiness Zone

Zone 13a

Keep exploring plants

Tabebuia shaferi is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.

It belongs to the Tabebuia genus — compare its care with other Tabebuia species on PlantoScan.

Tabebuia is part of the Bignoniaceae plant family — browse all Bignoniaceae genera and species.

Tabebuia shaferi thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Tabebuia Species

Other Tabebuia species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Tabebuia shaferi Britton, family Bignoniaceae (first published in Bull. Torrey Bot. Club 42: 372 (1915)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Tabebuia shaferi, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
  • Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.

Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.

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