Kapok.

At a glance

Care level

Moderate

Plant type

Deciduous tropical tree

Light

Full sun

Indoor light

Direct sun

Water

Every 3 to 7 days

Mature size

200 feet

Growth rate

Fast

Hardiness

USDA 10 to 12

Bloom time

Late winter to early spring

Care

Ensure this tree has plenty of space to reach its full potential in full sun. Watch for yellowing leaves, which may indicate poor drainage or nutrient issues. Keep the soil consistently moist but never waterlogged to support its rapid growth.

Watering

Water deeply whenever the top few inches of soil feel dry to the touch.

Feeding

Apply a balanced fertilizer during the active growing season to support its vigorous development.

Pruning

Remove dead or crossing branches once a year to maintain a healthy structure.

Repotting

Only repot young specimens when they become rootbound, as this tree prefers to stay in the ground.

Soil

Well draining, fertile soil

Soil pH

6.0 to 7.5

Temperature

15 to 35°C

Humidity

60 to 90%

Drought tolerance

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial, can live for several centuries.

Fragrance

Strong

Deer and rabbits

Moderate

Safety

People

The plant is not considered toxic, but the fine hairs from the seed pods can cause significant respiratory irritation.

Children

The trunk spines are sharp and pose a significant injury risk to children climbing or playing near the tree.

Contact allergens

The sharp spines found on the trunks of younger trees can cause skin abrasions.

Airborne allergens

The kapok fiber released from mature pods is a potent airborne irritant.

Edibility

The seeds are not considered edible for humans and contain cyclopropenoid fatty acids.

How to identify it

• Massive buttress roots at base
• Spiny trunk on younger trees
• Palmately compound leaves
• Large, fluffy seed pods
• Tall, straight, grey trunk

Height

20 to 70m

Spread

10 to 30m

Leaves

green, deciduous

Flowers

white, pink, 2 to 4cm

Fruit

brown, Late spring

Common problems

• Leaf spot — Fungal infections can cause spotting on leaves during periods of high humidity.

Growing it

Propagation

seed, cuttings

When to plant

Spring, Summer

Overwintering

Keep in a frost free environment with high light levels. Reduce watering significantly if temperatures drop below 20 degrees Celsius.

In containers

Not suitable for long term container growth due to its massive size.

Plant shade tolerant tropical ferns at the base to utilize the moisture trapped by the buttress roots.

Grows well with

• Bromeliad — These epiphytes naturally colonize the large branches of the tree.
• Orchid — Orchids thrive in the dappled light provided by the high canopy.

Similar species

• Baobab — Both are massive tropical trees with significant water storage capabilities.

Science

Family

Malvaceae

Genus

Ceiba

Order

Malvales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Tropical regions of the Americas and West Africa.

Conservation

This species is widely cultivated and not currently threatened in its native range.

It acts as a giant emergent tree in rainforests, providing a massive canopy for diverse epiphytes and animals.

Value to wildlife

nectar source, nesting site

Pollinators

bats, bees, moths

Uses

ornamental, fiber production, shade tree

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Can I grow this in a pot?

Only as a very young specimen, as it quickly outgrows any container.

Does it need full sun?

Yes, it requires bright, direct sunlight to thrive.

Where the name comes from

Ceiba is derived from the Taino word for the tree, while pentandra refers to the five stamens of the flower.

Good to know

• The tree is sacred in Mayan mythology.
• It can grow up to 3 meters in a single year when young.
• The buttress roots can extend several meters from the trunk base.
• It is often called the Kapok tree.