It’s best to plant the seeds of this tree between fall and early spring. You can also propagate this plant from a stem or branch cutting (softwood). Grafting is another method, but it’s best done by nursery or horticultural professionals. Propagating via softwood cutting is more advantageous because your plant will bloom much sooner than a plant grown from seed. Also, stem cutting is the more reliable method of propagation because the child plant will be a true copy of the parent. Here’s how to propagate by stem cutting:
Jacaranda Trees Are Blooming Right Now—See the Stunning Photos
While we’re admiring colorful autumn leaves, these pretty purple flowers are blooming in the southern hemisphere.
Jennifer Aldrich is an experienced editor who has worked at the two largest magazine publishers in the United States. She shares her knowledge of social media to millions of users through the Facebook, Instagram, TikTok, and Twitter accounts for Better Homes & Gardens.
Updated on June 14, 2022
Depending on where you live in the northern hemisphere, if you look out your window during the months of autumn, you’ll probably see gorgeous fall foliage or maybe even some snow. . But in the southern hemisphere, the view is quite a bit different. Right now, in the southern hemisphere, they’re in the middle of spring. And in some parts of the region—including Australia, South Africa, and Brazil—they have an exceptional sight outside. Currently, jacaranda trees are blooming and lining the streets with stunning purple flowers. Even if you can’t visit the region during the peak bloom season, checking out these photos is the next best thing.
There are at least 49 known varieties of jacaranda trees, but the one most likely to fill your Instagram feed is Jacaranda mimosifolia. It produces a vibrant show of purple flowers in late spring. It’s native to northwestern Argentina and Bolivia but can be found in tropical and subtropic regions worldwide. In the U.S., they mainly grow in parts of Hawaii, California, Texas, Florida, and Arizona. They start blooming in late May, while the trees in the southern hemisphere are in prime blooming season in October and November.
Besides their beautiful blooms, jacarandas feature delicate, fern-like foliage that lends a soft texture to gardens and city streets. Those leaves will turn a golden yellow and fall off in autumn (and if you happen to be in one of the southern U.S. states with jacarandas, you should see them turning yellow in June). These trees can reach up to 50 feet tall and look especially impressive when planted along both sides of a path or street. Their wide-spreading branches often will form a gorgeous tunnel of purple flowers that stops people in their tracks.
A single jacaranda tree in full bloom is breathtaking all on its own, but part of the awe that comes from the annual jacaranda bloom in places like Australia and South Africa is the sheer number of blooming trees. Pretoria, South Africa, is even known as Jacaranda City due to the volume of jacaranda trees it has. Cities like Johannesburg in South Africa and Sydney and Brisbane in Australia are also popular destinations for jacaranda sightseers.
In some parts of South Africa and Australia, the trees are considered invasive for crowding out some native species, but many residents still love their iconic blooms. Some scientists also argue that their impact in non-native areas can be minimal with mindful planting and maintenance. So far, in the U.S., they are categorized as invasive in Hawaii but don’t appear to be causing similar issues in any other state.
These photos may inspire you to grow your jacaranda, but keep in mind that they are only hardy in Zones 10 and 11. If you live in one of these Zones, plant your tree in sandy soil and full sun. They grow quickly, but it could take 7-14 years before it blooms if you start one from seed. If you plant a sapling, it could take 2-3 years before you see its first flowers. Because they are so fast-growing, they don’t make good choices for containers, though some people grow jacarandas as bonsai for their unique leaves. These bonsai may flower a little if grown outside, but they likely won’t flower if kept indoors.
Pretty as jacarandas are, they can require a bit of work to maintain. Their branches often need pruning to keep the tree healthy and looking its best. Also, they drop their flowers after blooming, which can create a sticky, slippery mess as they decompose. Either make sure to plant them in a spot where this won’t cause a problem, or plan to do some clean-up once the flowers fall.
Whether you choose to grow your own or simply admire photos of jacarandas, they’re a sight worth seeing. Like the cherry blossoms in Washington, D.C., you might even want to plan a trip to experience them in their full glory one day. For now, let the gorgeous images of jacarandas in full bloom inspire your daydreams of spring.
PURPLE FLOWERS & COOLING SHADE
Jacaranda mimosifolia trees are most easily recognized during the late spring and early summer when they display a brilliant array of deep purple flowers. This incredible coat of blooms has earned Jacarandas the spot as the most beautiful purple flowering tree and our top-selling flowering tree overall.
If you are looking to add color to your yard or business, you’ll be hard-pressed to find a better spectacle than jacaranda trees can bring to your landscape.
The admirable qualities of Jacarandas don’t simply end with their jaw-dropping clusters of purple flowers. They are practical as much as they are beautiful. Jacaranda trees are great shade trees. Their fern-like foliage and the graceful, wide canopy provides filtered shade during the warmest seasons of the year.
Jacaranda trees can be grown as a single or multi-trunk variety, furthering their versatility. If you need more height to shade a second-story window, a single trunk Jacaranda will accomplish that goal with ease. If you are needing a more widespread growth pattern or are looking to the Jacaranda’s ornamental qualities, the multi-trunk format will bring interest and curb appeal to any landscape.
ANSWERING THE MOST COMMON QUESTIONS ABOUT JACARANDA TREES
WHERE DO JACARANDA TREES GROW BEST?
Jacaranda trees are natives of Brazil and grow best in warmer climates, making them a perfect choice for landscapes in the southwestern United States.
They love full sun exposure and adapt to many different soil compositions. They are similar to Mimosa trees in appearance, but grow much better in full sun exposures and tougher soils.
HOW FAST DO JACARANDA TREES GROW?
The Jacaranda is a fast-growing tree appreciated by many landscape designers and homeowners for its quick growth rate, allowing it to cover a yard with cooling shade faster than many other flowering trees.
They also can grow larger than many other ornamental trees, further establishing them as a great choice for when color is desired, but a shade tree is needed as well.
WHEN DO JACARANDA TREES BLOOM?
Jacaranda trees bloom massive clusters of deep purple flowers in mid to late spring. The flowers continue to bloom into the early summer. The bell-shaped flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies, adding to the Jacaranda’s whimsical appearance when in bloom.
HOW TO CARE FOR JACARANDA TREES
Jacaranda trees are easy to care for trees that require little maintenance to get the many benefits they bring to the table. A bit of extra attention does go a long way, however, as regular application of nutrient-rich fertilizer, such as our Moon Dust, will promote more lush growth of the fern-like leaves and an abundance of purple flowers in the spring.
We recommend fertilizing on a monthly schedule starting in the early spring and continuing into late summer to early fall.
Once Jacarandas establish in a landscape, they become drought-tolerant and require little to moderate watering. They also benefit from pruning and trimming in the fall to shape them as desired and clear out any unnecessary growth.
WHERE TO BUY JACARANDA TREES FOR SALE
Moon Valley Nurseries grows all our Jacaranda trees right here in our local climate and soil to ensure an easy and successful transition to your yard. We have thousands of the best Jacaranda trees for sale at our nursery locations. Our nursery pros are happy to help you select the perfect trees for your landscape.
Our professional planting crews make sure your trees are ready to thrive and we guarantee everything we plant for you! From our farms to your yard, nobody does it better. For the best trees on Earth, go straight to the Moon!
Common Pests and Plant Diseases
The jacaranda tree is susceptible to aphids and scale insects, and the glassy-winged sharpshooter can also infest its leaves. You can manage all of these pests with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil. If grown indoors, jacarandas can attract aphids and whiteflies.
Disease rarely affects jacaranda trees; however, insects like the sharpshooter carrying the bacteria Xylella fastidiosa can cause trees to develop bacterial leaf scorch. The bacteria block the tree from getting the water it needs. To prolong the tree’s life, water it frequently. However, there is no cure for the disease, so ultimately, the tree will not likely survive.
Trees that do not have properly draining soil can develop mushroom root rot. This disease is caused by a pervasive fungus and has no real cure other than removing the dying plant. To confirm this disease, look for an area of the bark that appears to have blackened and died. Upon peeling back the dead bark, you’ll notice a white fungal growth.
How to Get Jacaranda Tree to Bloom
Bloom Months
Jacaranda trees grown outdoors bloom twice a year, once in spring in late May or early June, and again in the fall.
What Do Jacaranda Tree Flowers Look and Smell Like?
The purple (sometimes white) trumpet-like blooms have a freshly fragrant smell, although their decomposition is pungent and foul-smelling when the flowers wither and fall. This tree is on the messier side; sweep and rake the spent blooms as soon as you can to avoid a smelly situation.
How to Encourage More Blooms
Plant the tree in a sunny area with well-draining soil (preferably sandy). Make sure the ground around a jacaranda tree remains moist but not soggy. Protect the tree from harsh winds. Stop fertilizing grass growing nearby a jacaranda. Fertilizer, particularly nitrogen, inhibits flower production.
Common Problems With Jacaranda Trees
Other than the unavoidable messy flower drop, this tree is easy to grow. However, problems crop up most when its water, sunlight, and temperature needs are not being met.
Yellowing Leaves
If your tree is not watered deeply enough, it might not produce enough chlorophyll, causing chlorosis, which causes green leaves to turn yellow. Provide your tree with ample water. Water on a schedule and give your plant a deep watering on overly hot days.
Browning, Dying Leaves
Trees that have developed the insect-borne bacterial leaf scorch disease look like they are deprived of water. Leaves begin wilting, browning, and dropping. The branches and stems dry out and become brittle. There is no cure for this disease. Other potential causes for browning leaves are leaf scorch from too much sun or an overabundance of fertilizer. Check those factors. If the sun is overwhelming for the plant, it might be worth it for you to transplant the tree to a more suitable location.
Dead Leaf Tips
Excessive fertilizing can damage the mineral-to-salt ratio in the soil, causing dead leaf tips and yellowing leaf edges. If the leaf tips appear to die after fertilizing, it might be the cause of your tree’s leaf issues. To correct an overfertilized tree, remove the dying or wilting leaves and water the fertilized soil thoroughly, trying to flush out the fertilizer.
How long can jacaranda trees live?
The average lifespan of a jacaranda tree is 50 years old, and in a happy environment, it can live up to 200 years.
Can jacaranda trees grow indoors?
Early in its life—for the first few years—it can grow indoors if it has a bright sunny spot. However, it is such a tall, blooming tree that it will eventually need to be planted outdoors to reach maturity.
What are alternatives to a jacaranda tree?
If you live in a colder climate and love the jacaranda tree, you might be disappointed when your tree becomes too big to bring inside for the winter. A vitex tree (Vitex agnus-castus) is a suitable alternative that can tolerate colder temps and produces flowers with pretty blue spikes around the same time as a jacaranda tree. It also grows half as large—only about 25 feet versus the 50 feet of a jacaranda tree.
Article Sources
The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
- Jacaranda Mimosifolia.Arizona State University.
- Jacaranda Mimosifolia.University of Florida.
- Jacaranda Mimosifolia.Arizona State University.
- Managing Pests in Gardens: Trees and Shrubs – Jacaranda.University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources.
