Calliandra portoricensis
White Powder Puff
Calliandra portoricensis is a large shrub or small tree. During spring it produces fluffy white flowers made up of lengthy white stamens. The petals are very small and inconspicuous. The leaves have a feathery appearance. Calliandra portoricensis is suitable for garden borders in the tropics and sub-tropics. In cooler climates it can be grown in glasshouses.
Contributed by @mr_plantgeek
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Full sun to partial shade
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Occasional watering
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A little frost hardy: 32F (0°C)
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Moist and free draining
Common name
White Powder Puff
Latin name
Calliandra portoricensis
type
Flowering plant
family
Fabaceae
ph
6.0 - 7.5 Acid - Neutral
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Light
Full sun to partial shade
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Frost
A little frost hardy: 32F (0°C)
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Soil
Moist and free draining
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Water
Occasional watering
Plant & bloom calendar
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Best time to plant
full grown dimensions
3.50 M
6.00 M
Calliandra portoricensis
Calliandra portoricensis is a large shrub or small tree. During spring it produces fluffy white flowers made up of lengthy white stamens. The petals are very small and inconspicuous. The leaves have a feathery appearance. Calliandra portoricensis is suitable for garden borders in the tropics and sub-tropics. In cooler climates it can be grown in glasshouses.
Planting for indoor plants
From Early Spring TO Early Spring
If you live in an area where the Powder Puff tree isn't hardy, you will have to grow it in a large planter and move it back indoors during the winter. If space in your home is limited, you should consider growing a dwarf variety of the Powderpuff tree, which can be easily managed as a 2-3 foot plant by careful pruning. Indoors, Calliandra needs bright light to full sun, fairly high humidity and an average room temperature of 60°-75°. If the lack of humidity is a problem, you can set the planter on a tray filled with moistened pebbles.
Planting Outdoors Spring
From Early Spring TO Early Spring
Calliandras grow and flower best if they are grown in full sun, but they tolerate some partial shade, especially in hot summer regions. They should be planted in reasonably fertile, moist but well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0-7.5. Powder Puff plants should be watered regularly and thoroughly to maintain evenly moist soil, especially during the summer growing season. Continuously wet conditions should always be avoided. Well established plants can tolerate occasional periods of drought.
mr_plantgeek