Calliandra is a flowering plant found in tropical and subtropical regions of southern Asia, Africa and the Americas. It is commonly called Powder-puff Plant and Fairy Duster due to its stamens and is considered a shrub. It is a great looking bold bloomer.

 

The plant has evergreen foliage which is a rich shiny green and the delicate compound leaves appear almost fern-like. The flowers resemble the blossom of the lehua. The plant can attain the size of a small tree but usually grows to a height of growing 0.5-6 m tall. The flowers have numerous long slender stamens, and are produced in cylindrical inflorescences. Calliandra has bipinnate leaves.

 

The flowers bloom all spring, summer and into fall. It is an adaptable plant, but prefers moist, well-drained, fertile soil. Water freely when in full growth, barely moist in winter.  It adapts well to dry conditions and does best with moderate humidity.

 

It requires a balanced liquid fertilizer to grow well and sun to light shade. It is subject to Aphids, Mealy bugs, Spider Mites and Thorn Bugs.  Ample sunlight and free-air movement help deter harmful insects. Large cuttings often root easily and grows very easily from seed (soak seeds first).

 

Calliandra is grown as a hedge or shrub in the landscape for its powder-puff-type flowers.  They have no apparent scent, but are nevertheless constantly visited by hummingbirds, bees and other insects.  The bush may be used as a tall (five to six-foot) flowering hedge and is often seen as a small, flowering specimen tree with the lower branches pruned off.

 

 Did you know?

 

• Calliandra is a genus of about 200 species of flowering plants
• Pinching the new growth increases branch number and produces more flowers on a more compact plant.