Floss Silk Tree
Ceiba speciosa
A stunning tropical tree that erupts in spectacular pink-red blooms in fall, with a distinctive thorny green trunk.
Frost-sensitive, hardy to about 25-27°F and best in low desert only; protect young trees from cold, which drops foliage.
AMWUA Notes
Needs moderate, regular water in summer heat, more than desert natives; ensure deep infrequent irrigation.
Care Guide
Deep-soak weekly in summer heat and every 2-3 weeks in the cooler months; needs more water than desert-adapted trees.
Prune in late winter while dormant to build a strong scaffold; wear heavy gloves for the large trunk thorns and remove crossing limbs.
Apply a balanced fertilizer in spring to support growth and fall bloom.
Occasional aphids or scale.
Spectacular pink-red flowers erupt in fall; deciduous in winter with heavy flower and seed-pod drop.
Soil, Feeding & Propagation
Deep, fertile, well-draining loam or amended native soil; tolerates alkaline pH but prefers richer, moisture-retentive ground than desert natives
Needs well-drained soil.
Moderate feeder.
Grown from seed; superior flowering forms grafted or grown from cuttings
20–25 ft
Develops large surface roots that lift paving; keep 15–20 ft from pools, foundations, and hardscape
Placement Tips
- •Wide 25 ft canopy; give it 20+ ft from pools and patios because of the trunk thorns and heavy flower, leaf, and kapok-pod litter.
- •Develops large surface roots, so keep it 15+ ft from foundations and hardscape.
- •Not pool friendly; site as a stand-alone specimen with room to show the thorny green trunk and fall bloom.
- •Full sun in a warm, frost-protected location.
Features
Best Uses
Companion Plants
Quick Stats
Design Styles
Include in Your Project
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Use this care guide to maintain your Floss Silk Tree. Questions about your landscape? Reach out anytime.
Data from 2024 AMWUA “Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert” guide.
Floss Silk Tree — common questions
Answers for low-desert Phoenix conditions, drawn from this plant’s growing data.
How much water does Floss Silk Tree need in Phoenix?
Floss Silk Tree is a moderate-water tree once established. Deep-soak weekly in summer heat and every 2-3 weeks in the cooler months; needs more water than desert-adapted trees. Needs moderate, regular water in summer heat, more than desert natives; ensure deep infrequent irrigation.
How big does Floss Silk Tree get?
Expect roughly 30 ft tall and 25 ft wide at maturity, with a moderate growth rate. Allow about 20–25 ft of spacing when planting. Develops large surface roots that lift paving; keep 15–20 ft from pools, foundations, and hardscape.
Can you plant Floss Silk Tree near a pool?
Not ideally. Floss Silk Tree is not rated pool-friendly, so it is better placed away from the pool deck and skimmer. Litter is rated seasonal.
Can Floss Silk Tree handle Arizona heat and winter frost?
Floss Silk Tree is hardy in USDA 9-11 and wants full sun. Frost-sensitive, hardy to about 25-27°F and best in low desert only; protect young trees from cold, which drops foliage. Spectacular pink-red flowers erupt in fall; deciduous in winter with heavy flower and seed-pod drop.
Does Floss Silk Tree have thorns?
Yes — Floss Silk Tree has large thorns. Site it back from walkways, seating and pool decks where people brush past.
Is Floss Silk Tree safe around pets?
Floss Silk 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 Floss Silk Tree bloom in Arizona?
Floss Silk Tree blooms in fall, with pink-red flowers.
How much maintenance does Floss Silk Tree need?
Floss Silk Tree is moderate-maintenance. Leaf, flower and pod litter is rated seasonal. Prune in late winter while dormant to build a strong scaffold; wear heavy gloves for the large trunk thorns and remove crossing limbs.
What kind of soil does Floss Silk Tree need?
Deep, fertile, well-draining loam or amended native soil; tolerates alkaline pH but prefers richer, moisture-retentive ground than desert natives. Nutrient needs are moderate. Apply a balanced fertilizer in spring to support growth and fall bloom.
Is Floss Silk Tree native to Arizona?
No. Floss Silk Tree is not an Arizona native; it originates from the Brazil, Argentina, but it is grown successfully in low-desert landscapes here.