Flame tree.

At a glance

Care level

Moderate

Plant type

Deciduous tree

Light

Full sun

Indoor light

Direct sun

Water

Every 7 to 14 days

Mature size

40 feet

Growth rate

Fast

Hardiness

USDA 10 to 12

Bloom time

Late spring to early summer

Care

Plant this tree in a spot with plenty of room for its expansive roots and canopy. Watch for yellowing leaves which can signal poor drainage or nutrient issues. It prefers deep, infrequent watering once established to encourage a strong root system.

Watering

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

Feeding

Apply a balanced fertilizer during the active growing season to support flowering.

Pruning

Prune during the dormant season to remove dead wood and maintain a balanced shape.

Repotting

Repot only when the tree is young, as it is best suited for permanent ground planting.

Soil

Well draining sandy or loamy soil

Soil pH

6.0 to 7.5

Temperature

10 to 45°C

Humidity

40 to 80%

Safety

People

All parts of the plant are considered mildly toxic if ingested.

Pets

This plant is considered toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.

Children

Keep children away from the large, hard seed pods as they pose a choking hazard.

Contact allergens

The sap may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Airborne allergens

There is no significant evidence of airborne allergens from this tree.

Edibility

The seeds are considered toxic if ingested and should not be consumed.

How to identify it

• Large fern like bipinnate leaves
• Massive clusters of bright red flowers
• Spreading umbrella shaped canopy
• Long woody dark brown seed pods

Height

5 to 12m

Spread

6 to 15m

Leaves

bright green, deciduous

Flowers

red, orange, 8 to 15cm

Fruit

dark brown, Late summer to autumn

Problems to watch for

• CaterpillarsCommon
• ChlorosisUncommon
• Leaf ScorchUncommon
• Root RotUncommon

Growing it

Propagation

seed, cuttings

When to plant

spring

Plant smaller, drought tolerant shrubs around the base to avoid disturbing the shallow root system.

Grows well with

• Bougainvillea · They share similar tropical light and water requirements.
• Hibiscus · These shrubs provide a nice color contrast beneath the canopy.

Similar species

• Jacaranda · Both are popular tropical trees with fern-like foliage.

Science

Family

Fabaceae

Genus

Delonix

Order

Fabales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Madagascar

Conservation

This species is listed as vulnerable in its native habitat of Madagascar due to habitat loss.

It is adapted to survive in seasonally dry forests by dropping its leaves to conserve water.

Value to wildlife

nectar source

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, hummingbirds

Uses

ornamental shade tree, street tree, park specimen

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Can I grow this in a pot?

It is generally too large for long term container growth, though it can be kept as a bonsai.

Does it need full sun?

Yes, it requires full sun to bloom effectively.

Where the name comes from

Delonix comes from the Greek words for obvious claw, referring to the petals, while regia means royal.

Good to know

• It is often called the Flame of the Forest because of its intense red blooms.
• The tree is native to the dry deciduous forests of Madagascar.
• It can grow quite rapidly in ideal tropical conditions.
• The wood is relatively soft and can be brittle during high winds.

Also in

• Plants toxic to cats and dogs