Anacacho Orchid Tree
Bauhinia lunarioides
A charming small tree with delicate orchid-like white and pink blooms that draw bees and butterflies to the garden.
Hardy to about 15°F in low and mid desert; drops leaves and may suffer tip damage in hard frost but recovers reliably.
AMWUA Notes
Low water use; drought tolerant once established and reblooms after summer rains.
Care Guide
Deep-soak every two weeks in summer once established; drought tolerant and undemanding.
Prune in late winter to shape the multi-trunk form and remove suckers; can be kept shrubby or trained as a small tree.
A light spring feeding is optional; as a legume it needs little.
Essentially pest-free.
White-and-pink orchid-like flowers in spring and summer, often reblooming after rain; deciduous in cold winters.
Soil, Feeding & Propagation
Well-draining rocky, limestone, or decomposed-granite soil; thrives in alkaline caliche pH 7.5–8.5
Needs well-drained soil.
Low feeder.
Grown from scarified seed or semi-hardwood cuttings
8–10 ft
Modest, non-invasive roots; safe near pools, patios, and courtyards
Placement Tips
- •Small multi-trunk tree (about 8 ft wide) perfect for patios, courtyards, and entry gardens.
- •Thornless and low-litter, safe close to pools and seating areas.
- •Site in a warm spot with full to part sun; avoid cold low pockets where hard frost damages it.
- •Leave the graceful multi-trunk form to show off the pale bark, or limb up as a small specimen.
Features
Best Uses
Ecological Value
Attracts
Companion Plants
Quick Stats
Design Styles
Include in Your Project
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Use this care guide to maintain your Anacacho Orchid Tree. Questions about your landscape? Reach out anytime.
Data from 2024 AMWUA “Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert” guide.
Anacacho Orchid Tree — common questions
Answers for low-desert Phoenix conditions, drawn from this plant’s growing data.
How much water does Anacacho Orchid Tree need in Phoenix?
Anacacho Orchid Tree is a low-water tree once established. Deep-soak every two weeks in summer once established; drought tolerant and undemanding. Low water use; drought tolerant once established and reblooms after summer rains.
How big does Anacacho Orchid Tree get?
Expect roughly 12 ft tall and 8 ft wide at maturity, with a moderate growth rate. Allow about 8–10 ft of spacing when planting. Modest, non-invasive roots; safe near pools, patios, and courtyards.
Can you plant Anacacho Orchid Tree near a pool?
Yes. Anacacho Orchid Tree is considered pool-friendly, meaning it stays clean enough around water features and hardscape. Litter is rated low.
Can Anacacho Orchid Tree handle Arizona heat and winter frost?
Anacacho Orchid Tree is hardy in USDA 9-11 and wants partial shade. Hardy to about 15°F in low and mid desert; drops leaves and may suffer tip damage in hard frost but recovers reliably. White-and-pink orchid-like flowers in spring and summer, often reblooming after rain; deciduous in cold winters.
Does Anacacho Orchid Tree have thorns?
No. Anacacho Orchid Tree is thornless, so it is safe alongside walkways, patios and play areas.
Is Anacacho Orchid Tree safe around pets?
Anacacho Orchid Tree is listed as pet-friendly in this guide. If your dog is a determined chewer, check any new plant with your vet before planting.
When does Anacacho Orchid Tree bloom in Arizona?
Anacacho Orchid Tree blooms in spring-summer, with white/pink flowers. The bloom draws bees, butterflies.
How much maintenance does Anacacho Orchid Tree need?
Anacacho Orchid Tree is low-maintenance. Leaf, flower and pod litter is rated low. Prune in late winter to shape the multi-trunk form and remove suckers; can be kept shrubby or trained as a small tree.
What kind of soil does Anacacho Orchid Tree need?
Well-draining rocky, limestone, or decomposed-granite soil; thrives in alkaline caliche pH 7.5–8.5. Nutrient needs are low. A light spring feeding is optional; as a legume it needs little.
Is Anacacho Orchid Tree native to Arizona?
No. Anacacho Orchid Tree is not an Arizona native; it originates from the Chihuahuan Desert, but it is grown successfully in low-desert landscapes here.