Red powder puff (Calliandra haematocephala)
Care, watering, light and tips for Red powder puff on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Fabaceae
- Difficulty: Moderate care
- Watering: every 3 days
- Light: Full sun
- Temperature: 5–35 °C
- Toxicity: Toxic to pets
About Red powder puff
Calliandra haematocephala, known as 'Zhu Ying Hua' or 'Red Powder Puff', is a small shrub or tree from the Fabaceae family, famous for its spectacular spherical inflorescences of red or pink stamens resembling pom-poms. Its delicate foliage and striking flowers make it ideal as an ornamental plant in tropical and subtropical gardens, or in large pots on patios and terraces, where it can be pruned to maintain its shape. It is a plant that attracts pollinators, adding life and color to any outdoor space.
Native range
South America (Bolivia)
Care tips
It requires full sun exposure for abundant flowering, although it tolerates light partial shade. Watering should be regular, keeping the substrate moist but not waterlogged, especially during flowering and active growth periods; reduce watering in winter. It prefers well-drained soils, rich in organic matter, and slightly acidic to neutral. A common mistake to avoid is lack of pruning, as this helps maintain its shape, promote denser flowering, and control its size.
How to save a dying Red powder puff
- Warning signs
- Yellow or dropping leaves, dry shoots, lack of flowering. Indicates water or nutritional stress.
- First aid
- Check drainage and soil moisture. Prune dry branches, apply slow-release balanced fertilizer. Protect from cold.
- What kills it
- Constant waterlogging that rots the roots, or extreme prolonged drought. Does not tolerate hard frosts.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if the roots are not completely rotted and the main trunk is still alive. Act quickly.