Tibouchina campii Plant Care

Tibouchina campii Wurdack

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Chaetogastra campii, synonym Tibouchina campii, is a species of plant in the family Melastomataceae. It is native to Ecuador.

Water

Every 7–10 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

60–80°F

Humidity

50–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Tibouchina campii?

Plant Tibouchina campii in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 13a) and water a young tree every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Tibouchina campii Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Tibouchina campii?

Tibouchina campii (Tibouchina campii) belongs to the Melastomataceae family within the Tibouchina genus. Tibouchina campii is native to Ecuador.

Tibouchina campii displays an upright, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Tibouchina campii produces showy, vibrant purple flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Tibouchina campii?

Water a young or newly planted Tibouchina campii every 7–10 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 7–10 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Tibouchina campii Need?

Tibouchina campii thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Tibouchina campii Prefer?

Tibouchina campii tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Tibouchina campii prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Temperature

60–80°F

Humidity

50–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Tibouchina campii?

Well-draining, acidic soil with high organic matter content. Good drainage is essential for Tibouchina campii to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Tibouchina campii?

Feed Tibouchina campii 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 Tibouchina campii?

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining, acidic soil with high organic matter content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Tibouchina campii 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 Tibouchina campii?

Tibouchina campii can spread to about 4 ft (1.2 m) and reach about 6 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 4 ft (1.2 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 Tibouchina campii?

Prune Tibouchina campii 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 Tibouchina campii in Winter?

Tibouchina campii 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 Tibouchina campii?

Tibouchina campii can be propagated through softwood cuttings, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to white tibouchina plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Tibouchina campii Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Tibouchina campii, 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 Tibouchina campii?

Tibouchina campii is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, 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 Tibouchina campii Need?

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

Hardiness Zone

Zone 13a

Keep exploring plants

Tibouchina campii 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 Tibouchina genus — compare its care with other Tibouchina species on PlantoScan.

Tibouchina is part of the Melastomataceae plant family — browse all Melastomataceae genera and species.

Tibouchina campii thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Tibouchina Species

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

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Tibouchina campii Wurdack, family Melastomataceae (first published in Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 16: 1 (1967)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Tibouchina campii, 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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