Powder Puff Tree

Botanical Name: Calliandra haematocephala

Rare Dwarf Powder Puff Plant 10" Pot

It's easy to see the attraction of the powder puff tree. Those bright red fuzzy "flowers" are actually made up of stamens and can grow to 3 in (8 cm) in diameter. Powder puffs cover the tree nearly all year, making this a stunning accent in the home.

Calliandra haematocephala needs sunlight, warmth and high humidity to really thrive. If you can meet those requirements, your powder puff tree will do well indoors. A sunroom or greenhouse is an ideal spot for it.

Repot in spring, moving to a pot only 1 size larger. Want to keep your powder puff tree small? Keep it in the same pot and just top-dress every year.

How to Top-Dress: Remove the top 2 inches (5 cm) of potting mix and replace it with fresh mix. Take care not to harm any roots that may be near the surface.

Calliandra is an evergreen perennial. Its foliage is made up of dark-green, bipinnate leaves, with each leaflet about 2 inches (5 cm) long.

Over time, this shrubby plant will grow into a tree, reaching several feet high and will spread about as wide. You can prune it back hard in spring to keep it to 3 ft (90 cm) tall. It doesn't mind being cut back. In fact, this tree makes a charming bonsai.

Powder Puff Tree Care Tips

Origin: Bolivia (South America)

Height: 10 ft (3 m) or more if not pruned back; dwarf Calliandra grows to 6 ft (1.8 m)

Light: Bright light to full sun year-round. Shade from strong summer sun.

Water: Keep soil evenly moist year-round. Yellow leaves are a sign of overwatering.

Humidity: Moderate to high humidity. Use a humidity tray or room humidifier if air is dry.

Temperature: Average to warm room temperatures 60-80°F/16-27°C.

Soil: Good-quality, all-purpose potting mix.

Fertilizer: Feed every 2 weeks in spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted by half.

Propagation: Take 3 in (7.5 cm) stem tip cuttings in spring and root in moist perlite.