Jacaranda Tree Care

The jacaranda tree (Jacaranda mimosifolia) is a beautiful tropical tree that produces clusters of fragrant purple panicle-shaped blooms. Jacaranda branches are arched, forming a canopy shaped like an upturned umbrella. The jacaranda tree makes an excellent shade (or street) tree with its fern-like leaves that can grow up to 20 inches in length. It is a fast-growing tree in a tropical environment, gaining about ten feet a year in its first years of life. Its growth rate varies depending on where it's grown, slowing down to a moderate growth rate outside its ideal tropical environment. 

Jacarandas are true southern trees, thriving in USDA plant hardiness zones 9 through 11. Jacaranda trees are hardy down to 30°F. 

Only mature jacaranda— five years or older—will flower, blooming in late spring to early summer (though in warmer areas, the tree can flower at any time).  They prefer a sandy soil with great drainage, and show off their purple blooms best when planted in full sun. They grow relatively fast and will get up to 60 feet tall (18 m.) and just as wide. Plant the tree in an open spot with sandy soil and full sun. Keep the soil moist deep down but letting it dry out in between waterings.

They are resistant to pests and diseases and are moderately drought-tolerant (though they require watering during extended dry periods). 

Care for a jacaranda tree almost always includes pruning. In order to give it the best shape to show off those blooms, smaller branches should be trimmed early in the spring. Clip off suckers that grow vertically and keep one main trunk with some major branches leading off from the middle. Keep excess branches cut, to prevent the weight of the tree from splitting the trunk.

Soil: Jacaranda trees will do best in well-draining, moderately sandy soil with a slightly acidic pH level. It's also tolerant of clay and loamy soils but should not be planted in any mixture that is considered heavy, wet, or not well-draining. Water-logged soil can lead to an increased risk of root rot and mushroom root rot.

Sunlight and temperature: Jacaranda trees prefer a lot of sunlight throughout the day. They will thrive in temperatures ranging from 32 degrees Fahrenheit to 27 degrees Fahrenheit but can tolerate as low as 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Young jacarandas (4 years and younger) should be protected from temperatures 36 degrees and lower. Cover and use a heat source. These plants prefer warm and humid weather conditions. 

Water: As a general rule, water your jacaranda tree when the top three to four inches of soil feels dry to the touch. These trees need consistent moisture throughout the year and often require additional watering during high heat or drought periods. Water the area around the tree's base. Concentrate most of the water at its drip line (the spot where the water drips off the ends of the branches) instead of near the trunk.

To gauge whether your watering was sufficient, poke a finger or water gauge into the ground up to three inches deep, ensuring the water has seeped down to that depth. Repeat watering this way once a week, increase to several times a week during intense sun or heat periods. Reduce watering to once a month during the tree's dormant winter months.

Fertilizer: Feed your jacaranda tree annually with a balanced tree fertilizer but be careful not to give it too much nitrogen, which can affect flowering. A good fertilizer ratio is 10-10-10 NPK (nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium). If you are fertilizing grass under the tree, chances are the tree is already getting a lot of nitrogen.

Pruning: You should prune young jacaranda trees to form one central leader (main trunk) for strength and stability. Avoid pruning beyond that; too much pruning might force it to grow vertical suckers that can distort the tree's shape. Seasonal pruning should be limited to removing only broken, dead, or diseased branches.

How to Get Jacaranda Tree to Bloom

Jacaranda trees bloom twice a year, once in spring in late May or early June, and again in the fall. The 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.

For the best result with getting a jacaranda to bloom, plant it 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. Ideal jacaranda flowering conditions include full sun and warm weather. Jacarandas won’t flower well if they receive fewer than six hours of sunlight each day. They also won’t bloom in excessively cool climates, although the trees might appear to be healthy.

Potting and Repotting Jacaranda Trees

If you are transplanting jacaranda, do it in the winter after they drop their leaves but before they bud out in early spring. Transplanting them while they are dormant reduces stress and increases the likelihood of success.

In the tropics, these trees grow 50 feet tall, outgrowing containers. But in cooler climates, they can be grown as container trees growing to about eight to ten feet if you annually prune and shape the tree during dormancy to keep it on the smaller side.

Common Plant and Pest 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.

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, it appears like an area of the bark has blackened and died. Upon peeling back the dead bark, you'll notice a white fungal growth.

Common Problems With Jacaranda Trees

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.

Common Name: Jacaranda tree, black poui, blue jacaranda

Botanical Name: Jacaranda mimosifoila

Family: Bignoniaceae

Plant Type: Flowering tree

Mature Size: 25–50 ft. tall, 15–30 ft. wide

Growth Rate: Fast

Sun Exposure: Full

Soil Type: Sandy, well-drained

Soil pH: Neutral to acidic

Bloom Time: Spring, summer

Flower Color: Purple, blue-purple

Hardiness Zones: 9 -11 (USDA)

Native Area: South America

Planting Instructions Here