Princess Flower Plant Care

Princess Flower (Tibouchina semidecandra) belongs to the Melastomataceae family within the Tibouchina genus. Princess Flower is native to southeast Brazil. Princess Flower is also known as Glory Bush, Purple Glory Bush, Tibouchina.

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

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Princess Flower 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.

Princess Flower thrives in full sun to partial shade.

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

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

Feed Princess Flower 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, acidic soil with high organic matter content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Princess Flower 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.

Princess Flower 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.

Prune Princess Flower 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.

Princess Flower 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.

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

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

Princess Flower 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.

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