Ceiba

( SEE - buh )

At-A-Glance Information

Commonly known as Floss Silk Tree or Chorisia, this genus of evergreen and deciduous trees includes species which need full sun and moderate water to perform well in the landscape. Tree trunks and branches are covered in sharp spines. Leaves drop during the flowering period in fall or when temperatures fall below 27 degrees Fahrenheit. Flowers have a tropical look to them, similar to Hibiscus or Asiatic Lily. Use these trees as specimens in the landscape for an eye-catching display. Take care when planting these trees in the landscape, as many species have sharp thorns that can be a safety hazard to pets and children.

Ceiba Species and Varietals

The genus Ceiba is a member of the plant family Malvaceae and includes 19 species. In 2003, the genus Chorisia was absorbed by Ceiba. The genus name is derived from the Taino language (spoken in the Caribbean) word for boat, because the locals used the wood from these trees to fashion canoes. Ceiba growing zones vary depending on the species; for more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Ceiba chodatii (Floss Silk Tree, Palo Borracho, Bottle Tree, Yellow Drunken Stick Tree)
This deciduous tree is native to tropical and subtropical forested areas of South America and grows well in USDA hardiness zones 9-11 or Sunset growing zones 12-24. These trees form a swollen, bottle-shaped trunk that stores water for use during the dry season and can reach 40 feet tall at maturity. Dusk-opening flowers are yellow to cream-colored with pink-flushed petals and are pollinated by bats. Blooms peak in February through May and are fragrant, smelling the most potent in rainy weather. Fruits that follow are oblong and green.

Ceiba insignis (White Floss Silk Tree)
Best in USDA hardiness zones 10-12 or Sunset growing zones 12, 13, 15-24, H1 and H2, this species can reach 50 feet tall and wide at maturity. Flowers are white to pale yellow and 5 to 6 inches across. Blooms are present from fall through wintertime until the first frost of the year occurs. This species is native to tropical forests of Ecuador and northern Peru, and is used as street trees in many areas of the world.

Ceiba pentandra (Java Cotton, Kapok, Silk-Cotton, Samauma)
These trees are native to Mexico, Central America, West Africa and the Caribbean. These are very large trees (too large for most gardens), and can reach upwards of 240 feet at maturity. They form thorny trunks and buttress roots to stabilize themselves, which can reach up to 40 feet tall. This species does well in USDA hardiness zones 10-12 and is intolerant of frost.

Ceiba speciosa (Floss Silk Tree, Arbol de Puente, Paineira, Toborochi, Palo Borracho, Samu'u, Kapok)
This species grows best in USDA hardiness zones 9-11 or Sunset growing zones 12-24, H1 and H2, and puts on 3-5 feet per year at first, then grows more slowly and eventually reaches 30-60 feet tall. Flowers are pink, purple, or burgundy and are 4 inches or more across. This species has a few grafted varieties that are widely grown, including 'Los Angeles Beautiful' (with wine-red flowers), and 'Pink Princess' (a dwarf hybrid reaching just 12 feet tall).

Ceiba ventricosa (Barriguda Tree)
This tropical, evergreen tree species is native to Atlantic rainforest areas in Brazil, and produces a plant that reaches 85 feet tall at maturity. The species does well when growing in USDA hardiness zones 9-11. These trees are sometimes harvested for their timber, though it is of low quality. This species was first formally described in 1998 by botanist Pedro Felix Ravenna.

Caring for Ceiba

Take care when planting these trees in the landscape, as many species have sharp thorns that can be a safety hazard to pets and children. These trees should be planted in a spot in the garden that receives between 6-8 hours of direct sun. They thrive in soils that are well-draining with a pH of between 6.0 and 7.5, and can survive in a variety of soils as long as they are rich in organic matter. Mulch around the base of the tree after installation, ensuring that it stays a few inches away from the trunk. Water young trees regularly to establish a deep root system. Soil should be kept consistently moist, especially during the active growing and flowering seasons. Mature trees are very drought tolerant, able to access water stored in their swollen trunks during dry periods. They can, however, benefit from deep waterings in spring and summertime about once a month. Lessen waterings in late summertime to encourage more profuse blooming. Avoid overwatering trees, as this can cause them to develop root rot issues.

These trees typically thrive in warm tropical to subtropical climates, and do not tolerate frost well. They prefer temperatures to stay above 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Young trees should be protected from frost using burlap or frost cloth. Prune trees only to remove dead, damaged or diseased plant parts. Otherwise, these trees are best left to their own devices. The life span of Ceiba trees varies depending on where they are grown. In tropical areas that are similar to their native habitat, they can live for hundreds of years, though in many garden situations, especially in cooler regions, they live for about 60 years before needing to be replaced.

Propagation

Ceiba 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 Ceiba, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Ceiba 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, 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 Ceiba by Seed
  1. Keep in mind that the 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 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 continue 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. Remove any remaining silk from seeds before planting.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
Ceiba fruits are filled with silk, which helps seeds to travel away from the mother plant. The fibers are called Kapok.
Ceiba seeds are small and can be black, grey, or brown depending on the species.

Problems and Pests

Ceiba trees are relatively free of pests and disease, though they can be susceptible to developing issues with the following from time to time:
  • Root Rot
  • Leaf Spot
  • Powdery Mildew
  • Spider Mites
For more information on these pests and diseases, including how to treat and prevent them, consult the following pages:
​

Gallery

Ceiba trees can grow to be quite large.
These trees thrive in tropical environments where temperatures don't drop below 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
These trees have beautiful bark and interesting branching structures.

Videos

See a Ceiba bonsai take form.
Learn about these large tropical trees.
All about Kapok Tree.

Resources

Learn How to Prune a Kapok Tree
Ceiba speciosa
Chorisia speciosa or Ceiba speciosa (PDF)
Wikipedia: Ceiba
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 241, Chorisia