Jacaranda - Jacaranda mimosifolia - is a large tree native to Brazil, which is also grown in the southern part of the United States, Australia and many other hot and humid climate areas. These trees are best known for their beautiful purple and blue flowers that bloom in spring. To grow one, you need to get some seeds, then plant them outdoors where the plant has plenty of space.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Obtaining a Jacaranda Tree
Step 1. Purchase a jacaranda at a nursery
If you live in a temperate or warm climate, most local nurseries should sell jacaranda seedlings. If you can't find them or if you don't know how to choose from some varieties, ask the store staff for advice.
If there is no nursery in your area, you can also try the gardening section of shopping centers. In some cases you will find seedlings
Step 2. Order a jacaranda seedling or seed on the internet
If there are no nurseries near your home, you may not be able to purchase a jacaranda in person. In this case, you can try on the internet. Visit the sites of major plant dealers. In some cases you will find the plant, in others you will have to order a packet of seeds.
Although jacaranda commonly grows in temperate or humid climate zones, it can survive even in colder areas, even in regions that receive light frosts. Jacaranda trees grow best in climate zone 10, which includes the warm zones of southern Italy
Step 3. Plant the jacaranda with a cutting
If you know a friend or relative who has this tree, ask if you can cut a part of the plant. A cutting is a section taken from a branch that is at least 6 inches long. Put it in water until small roots appear.
At that point, plant the cutting in a small pot filled with potting soil, water the tree regularly, and let it grow
Step 4. Transplant a jacaranda
Smaller seedlings often sprout around the base of a mature tree. If you have the ability to safely and legally pick up one of these seedlings, you can transplant it into a pot and start growing a tree.
Part 2 of 3: Planting a Jacaranda
Step 1. Plant the jacaranda in a sunlit area
These trees grow best in the sun and should be planted in areas that receive direct and frequent sunlight for most of the year. Plant your tree at least 4.5 meters away from the nearest buildings and not in the shade of other larger plants.
Step 2. Plant the tree in rich, well-drained soil
Jacaranda suffers if their roots don't have good drainage and they need rich, fertile soil that offers plenty of nutrients. If you are planting your tree in a large pot, choose rich soil. At local nurseries you will find many types of potting soil for sale, and the staff can help you choose a healthy and suitable jacaranda mix.
If you plant the tree directly on the ground, you will not be able to control the composition of the soil. Look for an area where there are no pools of water and where there are no other plants
Step 3. Water the tree regularly in the summer
The jacaranda needs a lot of water to grow well in temperate climates. Healthy trees grow rapidly, but wither and die if they don't get enough water. Between March and October, pump the plant about once a week.
During the cold months of winter, there is no need to water the tree regularly. Jacaranda doesn't grow between November and February, so you should only water it once a month
Step 4. Plant the tree in an isolated spot
Even though these trees are small in the beginning, they can get huge. They usually reach 7.5-15 meters in height and 4.5-9 meters in width. Plant your jacaranda in a large, open area where it will have enough space to grow, for example in a large garden in front of or behind your home.
- If you plant the jacaranda in an already occupied or crowded area (such as under a porch or between two narrow walls), it will not reach its full size and may wilt or become ill.
- Plant the tree at least 4.5 meters from the house and other structures so any falling branches won't cause damage.
Part 3 of 3: Caring for the Jacaranda
Step 1. Mulch around the base of the tree
The jacaranda must conserve much of the water it receives to grow well. To help the plant and prevent water from evaporating directly from the soil, you can use mulch. For the best effect, spread a layer of about 5 cm.
Purchase mulch from nurseries or garden supply stores
Step 2. Don't prune the tree
Jacaranda branches grow vertically and spread outward in all directions. Let them grow freely; if you prune them, you could stop the tree from growing, which could also cause suckers to sprout. When you prune a jacaranda branch, the tree will sprout vertical branches, so pruning it continuously will have an unnatural shape and reach excessive heights.
If you don't shape it, the jacaranda grows with an umbrella shape
Step 3. Collect the flowers that fall from the plant
The brightly colored flowers of the tree can reach 30 cm in length and 20 cm in width. When they fall, they cover the ground, sidewalks and streets below. If the tree is on your property, you are responsible for raking and throwing the flowers.
Do not plant the tree where branches can grow over a swimming pool. When the flowers fall in the fall, they will cover the pool and may clog the water filter
Advice
- If you wish to grow a jacaranda from seeds, consider that it will take longer for the tree to flower. The flowers will also have more varied colors than those produced by a single seedling.
- Generally, jacaranda trees planted from a cutting take 5-7 years to produce the first flowers.
