synonyms | Bombax ellipticum | |
height | 15–20 | |
width | 10–15 | |
tolerates | Heat, Pots | |
water needs |
Moderate | |
water info |
The shaving-brush tree grows on limestone outcroppings in Southern Mexico where it receives warm summer showers. Thus it appreciates a semi-dry winter rest, with ample water during summer, combined with good drainage. It adapts well to winter rains in Southern California, where it can be grown in the ground with good drainage. Further north it begrudgingly makes it through wet winters and is best grown in a pot with very sharp drainage. If winters are particularly wet and long you may find spots of brown rot on this plant; they should be carved out, back to healthy green flesh. The plant usually recovers, as long as the rot isn’t in the crown, creating a pocket where more rain can collect. Growing this plant in a sheltered spot under an eve solves all these problems. | |
hardy to |
28F | |
exposure | Part Shade – Full Sun | |
indoor outdoor |
Outdoor | |
drainage | In Ground: Cactus Mix, In Pots: Cactus Mix, Requires Perfect Drainage, Tolerates Sandy Soil | |
fertilizing | All Purpose | |
origin | Mexico | |
california native |
No | |
sunset zones |
16, 17, 22–H2 |
Full Sun
Six or more hours of sun beams directly landing on the plant's leaves.
Part Shade
Three to five hours of sun beams directly landing on the plant's leaves.
Part Sun
One to two hours of sun beams directly landing on the plants leaves.
Full Shade
The plant is never fully lit by sun beams,
but is in a bright spot or has dappled sunbeams playing over the leaves throughout the day.
Deep Shade
The plant never has dappled light on the leaves, and is in a place that feels dim, even on a nice sunny day.