Caesalpinia

( sez - al - PIN - ee - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of plants includes evergreen and deciduous shrubs and small trees with fern-like foliage. Most need full sun and little to moderate water, and will attract hummingbirds to your yard. Caesalpinia is also called Poinciana, and features eye-catching, fragrant colorful blossoms with protruding stamens. These shrubs can be included in mixed planting beds or used as specimen plants, either in-ground or in containers. Take care when planting these shrubs in the landscape, as plant parts can be poisonous if ingested.

Caesalpinia Species and Varietals

The genus Caesalpinia includes between 70 and 165 species and is part of the plant family Fabaceae. It is named for Italian botanist Andrea Caesalpino. ​The best growing zones for Caesalpinia vary by species; refer to the species descriptions below for more growing information. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Caesalpinia mexicana (Mexican Bird of Paradise, Mexican Holdback, Dwarf Poinciana, Evergreen Bird of Paradise, Mexican Caesalpinia, Tabachin del Monte)
This species can form a shrub or tree and is evergreen. It grows well in USDA hardiness zones 9-11 or Sunset growing zones 12-16 and 18-24. Moderately fast grower to about 10-12 feet tall and wide, though is usually kept smaller (6-8 feet tall and wide) with pruning. The shrub is covered with clusters of yellow flowers for much of the year, though blooms are less profuse in the cooler months.

Caesalpinia pulcherrima (Poinciana pulcherrima) (Red Bird of Paradise, Dwarf Poinciana, Pride of Barbados, Peacock Flower)
This species is a deciduous shrub that is evergreen in areas with mild winters. Grows best in USDA hardiness zones 9-11 or Sunset growing zones 12-16 and 18-23 as well as H1 and H2. This plant is native to tropical parts of America. Grows fast and dense to 10 feet tall and wide. Leaves are dark green and in warm weather flowers are showy red and orange. These plants will freeze to the ground in cold climates but pop back up in springtime. A popular variety is 'Phoenix Bird', which has bright yellow blooms. 

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​Did You Know?
Caesalpinia pulcherrima is known as the 'Pride of Barbados', and is Barbados' national flower. A depiction of the shrub is featured in the country's coat of arms.

Caring for Caesalpinia

Take care when planting these shrubs in the landscape, as plant parts can be poisonous if ingested. Caesalpinia shrubs and small trees are sometimes available through reputable nurseries and growers, though seeds can also be ordered from catalogs. If planting to create a hedge, space them 6-12 feet apart. Plant in a spot that receives full sun (ideally, between 6 and 8 hours each day). Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 5.6 and 8.5 (slightly acidic to slightly alkaline). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention.

Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. Once established, these plants are considered somewhat drought-tolerant, able to get by on rainwater for most of the year with supplemental waterings during the dry months; Weekly deep irrigation is typically sufficient. Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. In springtime, prune back dead or damaged branches and foliage. Otherwise, these plants really don't need much else in the way of care. To create a tree-like form, begin pruning off lower branches when trees are young, choosing a strong, central leader to form. Continue trimming off lower branches or basal suckers as the tree grows. When young, they may need to be staked to remain upright. Caesalpinia shrubs and small trees can survive in the garden for between 5 years and over a decade if given proper care. 

Propagation

Caesalpinia can be propagated either by using cuttings or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your Caesalpinia, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Caesalpinia by Cutting
  1. Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. A good substrate for propagation of cuttings is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
  2. In spring or early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
  3. Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth on your propagated plant, you'll know you have roots. 
  4. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new shrub.

Propagating Caesalpinia by Seed
  1. Keep in mind that the Caesalpinia plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
  2. Harvest your seeds. The seed pods on Caesalpinia plants are pretty easy to spot, they're large and dangle from the branches, left behind after flowers have faded. Once they have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will begin to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
  3. Caesalpinia seeds have a hard coating that protects them, but this coating also makes it a little difficult to get them to germinate. We can help the process along by scarifying them with sandpaper (or simply rubbing them against an abrasive surface). Do this with as many seeds as you can; they will probably not all sow, and the ones that do will be of varying characteristics. The more seeds you plant, the more chances you will have to get the resulting shrub you want. Place your seeds in lukewarm water for six hours. Viable seeds will sink to the bottom, and non-viable seeds will float to the top. You can discard any seeds that float.
  4. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 7-14 days from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
  5. Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.
Caesalpinia seed pods form after flowers have faded, and typically contain 8-10 seeds each.
Caesalpinia seeds are dark brown to blackish, about 1/4 to 3/4 inch in diameter, and are poisonous if ingested.

Problems and Pests

Caesalpinia shrubs are really not bothered by many pests, through they can be susceptible to the following from time to time:
  • Aphids
  • Mealybugs
  • Root Rot
​For more information on these pests and diseases, including how to treat and prevent them, consult the following pages:
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Gallery

Plant Caesalpinia close to walkways where their flowers can be admired from close-up.
Caesalpinia can be pruned as shrubs or small multi-trunked trees.
Butterflies love the flowers on Caesalpinia bushes.

Videos

How to grow and care for Pride of Barbados.
How to propagate Caesalpinia via seed.
All about Red Mexican Bird of Paradise.

Resources

How to Grow and Care for Peacock Flowers
Pride of Barbados Care
Wikipedia: Caesalpinia
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 209, Caesalpinia