Edible erythrina (Erythrina edulis)
Care, watering, light and tips for Edible erythrina on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Fabaceae
- Difficulty: Easy to care for
- Watering: every 7 days
- Light: Full sun
- Temperature: 5–35 °C
About Edible erythrina
The Balú (Erythrina edulis) is a medium-sized leguminous tree, valued for its showy reddish flowers and edible pods. Native to the Andes, it is characterized by a thorny trunk and a spreading canopy. It is an excellent choice for large gardens or as an ornamental and productive tree on farms.
Native range
Andes of South America, specifically in Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, and Bolivia.
Care tips
It prefers full sun exposure for optimal flowering and fruiting. It requires regular watering, especially during dry periods, but it's important to ensure good drainage to prevent waterlogging. It adapts to a variety of soils, although it prefers fertile and well-drained ones. Avoid severe frosts, as it is sensitive to low temperatures.
How to save a dying Edible erythrina
- Warning signs
- Yellowing or massive leaf drop, soft or blackish stems, stunted growth.
- First aid
- Check drainage and soil moisture. Prune dry or diseased branches. Protect from cold.
- What kills it
- Overwatering causing root rot, or prolonged frost exposure.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if roots are not completely rotted and the main trunk is undamaged.