Jacaranda Tree Guide: Growing Zones For Each State (7 Common Problems)

What Is the Blue Jacaranda Tree? (Pronounced Jackoranda Tree)

The Blue Jacaranda Tree, like many other members of the Jacaranda genus, is native to tropical South America, specifically the countries of Argentina, Bolivia, and Brazil. ‘

It is an exquisite, majestic tree, boasting large and showy clusters of vivid purple-blue flowers which make a statement wherever they bloom.

Due to its aesthetic appeal, the striking “jackoranda” tree has been introduced to and established in tropical climates around the world.

A mid-sized, deciduous tree, the Blue Jacaranda Tree is a medium to fast grower which has become invasive in some countries.²⁴

Blue Jacaranda Tree Facts

The Blue Jacaranda Tree is certainly a unique specimen with its regal, eye-catching form and colors. Here are several interesting Jacaranda Tree facts:

1. The Blue Jacaranda Tree is a fixture in pop culture and has been featured in various novels, songs, and films.⁷
2. In the hottest climates, Jacaranda becomes semi-evergreen, retaining its leaves right up until the next blooming season.²⁷
3. The leaves of the Blue Jacaranda (along with some other Jacaranda species) have demonstrated cancer fighting abilities.²
4. There is a city in South Africa – Pretoria or Jacaranda City – named for the Jacaranda Tree as the abundant Jacarandas transform the city into a purple haze each spring.²⁰
5. The Jacaranda’s spring blossoms are thought to benefit from a winter season with several fairly chilly nights, though not below freezing.⁹
6. There is a rare cultivar of Jacaranda mimosifolia ‘Alba’, which bears all white flowers.³
7. The Blue Jacaranda Tree ranks high among trees for carbon sequestration, absorbing large amounts of CO₂ for its size.²⁵
8. As with many other significant plant species, the Jacaranda Tree has its share of tree symbolism. The Blue Jacaranda is thought to signify good fortune, particularly if a flower lands on one’s head.¹³

7 Common Jacaranda Tree Problems

Unfortunately, even the loveliest of trees (which the Blue Jacaranda certainly is!) is not without its share of issues. These are 7 of the most common Jacaranda Tree problems.

1. The sprawling canopy of the Jacaranda Tree is susceptible to wind damage.¹¹
2. The Jacaranda Tree can sustain trunk scald in areas where the temperatures are exceedingly hot, such as in Phoenix, Arizona.²⁴
3. The Blue Jacaranda is vulnerable to root rot or mushroom rot in poorly draining soils.²¹
4. Jacaranda trees that are not pruned regularly and properly for the first 15 years are much more likely to experience breaking, splitting, and other durability issues.²¹
5. Jacaranda mimosifolia can and has become invasive in some areas.²⁴
6. With its abundant flowers, seed pods, and foliage the jacaranda produces a great deal of ground litter throughout the year and particularly during the summer and fall.²¹
7. Though generally disease and pest resistant, the jacaranda is susceptible to one bacteria that causes the fatal oleander scorch disease.³⁰

How To Identify Jacaranda Tree

Anyone looking for how to identify Jacaranda Tree is in luck as jacarandas have some very distinct and unique traits.

When attempting purple flowering tree identification, the Blue Jacaranda stands out as its purple blooms have a blue hue.

The Blue Jacaranda branches arch slightly, so that each branch rises and droops, creating an umbrella-like shape. The canopies often spread wider than the height of the tree itself.^2,8

Additionally, its leaves, flowers and seeds are all unique components of the species. Read on for more information!

Jacaranda Tree Leaves

The Blue Jacaranda Tree leaves are nearly as lovely as the flowers. The foliage is delicate, soft, and finely textured.²

The Jacaranda may develop leaves at any point during the spring, and the leaves sometimes precede the blossoms.²¹ The developing leaves are a bright green hue which mature into a rich, dark green during the summer and fade to yellow in the fall.

Jacaranda mimosifolia is technically a deciduous tree, but in hotter climates it often retains its leaves through winter until early spring. Thus, it is sometimes considered semi-evergreen.¹¹

Each jacaranda leaf is bipinnately compound. In other words, each leaf has many leaflets, and each leaflet has many smaller, egg-shaped leaflets (>20).

The leaves grow up to 20” long and are arranged in an opposing pattern.⁹ The overall effect resembles that of a fern.¹¹

The canopy formed by the feathery leaves creates a pleasant, dappled shade.³

Jacaranda Tree Flowers

Blue Jacaranda Tree flowers bloom in mid-spring in a vibrant, lilac hue. The trumpet-shaped blossoms grow in large, showy, dense clusters on panicles up to 1.5 ft. long.³

The flowers often bloom before the tree leafs in the spring, and the blossoms are abundant with a very subtle fragrance.⁹ Each flower is less than 1 in., 5-lobed, and fused at the base into a trumpet shape.¹¹

The flowering period of the Blue Jacaranda often lasts for over one month!²

The ‘Alba’ cultivar bears white flowers which are less abundant but bloom for an even longer period of time.⁹

Jacaranda Tree Seeds

The Blue Jacaranda Tree seeds are borne in brown to black, woody seed pods which appear after the flowers. The pods are round and flattened with an approximately 2” diameter.⁹

Each pod contains several flat, brown, winged seeds.^2,20

Best Growing Conditions For Jacaranda Tree

The very best growing conditions for Jacaranda Tree can be found in subtropical areas that do not experience temperatures below freezing. The Jacaranda Tree loves to grow in full sun and sandy soil, but it is tolerant of a variety of soil types, including depleted soils.⁸

Although the Blue Jacaranda Tree does not tolerate freezing temperatures, it is thought that it blooms more abundantly when there are several nights high 30s temperature during the dormant season.⁹

It makes a great shade tree for a yard or outdoor living space, as its open canopy creates filtered shade which allows other plant life to also thrive.³ However, planting the tree near a swimming pool is not recommended due to flower, leaf, and seed litter.

Planting near a home can be risky as some jacarandas are prone to breakage.²

Jacaranda Tree Growing Zone

The Blue Jacaranda Tree growing zones are a fairly narrow range, so it is very important to pay attention to both the growing zones for Jacaranda Tree (where to grow) and the growing zones in the desired planting area. Consult the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map to view growing zones by region, state, or zip code!

The Jacaranda Tree grows in zones 9b – 11, and thrives in subtropical climates which receive adequate water.

In other words, while a jacaranda may tolerate the heat of the Sonoran Desert, it would most likely require supplemental watering. Jacarandas do not tolerate temperatures below freezing.

The three regions of the continental United States best suited for growing Jacaranda Trees are the southwestern, south central, and south eastern (see USDA maps below). Note: Jacaranda trees also grow inland in Hawaii.

(Image: US Department of Agriculture³⁶)

Jacaranda Tree Arizona

Arizona is one of two southwestern states with a climate suited to growing Jacaranda Trees.

The western border and southwestern area of Arizona have warm enough temperatures for jacarandas.

However, due to intense evening temperatures in areas such as Yuma and Phoenix, direct western sun exposure is discouraged as J. mimosifolia can fall victim to sun scald or trunk scald.⁶

Jacaranda Tree California

California is the state with the most land area suitable for jacarandas, with some 9b territories stretching far up the Pacific coast.

Jacaranda trees do not tolerate sea salt and prefer some distance from cool ocean winds, however.

The Los Angeles area most likely boasts the greatest density of Jacaranda Tree specimens.³³

Jacaranda Tree Florida

Florida is the only state in the southeastern U.S. with climates suited to jacaranda.

Most of the panhandle, and all of it south of Tampa is warm enough to grow jacarandas.

One thing to watch for when growing a Jacaranda Tree in Florida is root rot. Jacarandas require well-draining soil to maintain root health.²¹

Jacaranda Tree Texas

In south central U.S., there is one state with an appropriate climate for jacarandas.

The southernmost tip of east Texas stretching up the Gulf Coast past Corpus Christi is suitable for jacaranda growing.¹⁵

Types of Jacaranda Trees

There are several types of trees in the Jacaranda genus, which is composed of 49 distinct species of flowering plants ranging from shrubs to large trees.

The most well-known of these species is the Blue Jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia), discussed extensively in this article.

However, there are several other species of note, including:

Boxwood or Cancertree (Jacaranda caerulea)

This species of Jacaranda is native to various islands of the Caribbean, such as Haiti and Cuba. It produces tubular, purple-blue blooms intermittently during the spring and summer.

It looks similar to the closely related Blue Jacaranda but is somewhat smaller. The leaves of this species have been used to treat a variety of skin ailments.^16,17

Its blooms also lack the blue hue of many jacaranda relatives and are purple or maroon.

Carob Tree (Jacaranda copaia)

The Carob Tree is a very tall Jacaranda species which may reach heights greater than 100 feet. This is another tree with purple flowers, but its size makes it unique.

Further, it is an incredibly slim tree with ascending branches forming a vase-shaped canopy or crown. J. copaia is native to Central and South America.¹⁹

Planting Tips For Jacaranda Tree

How long it takes to grow Jacaranda Tree depends upon when, where, and how they are planted. There are a few helpful planting tips for Jacaranda Trees, and the first has to do with propagation.

Growing Jacaranda Tree from a seed and growing a Jacaranda Tree from a seedling are not ideal options as the specimens will take many years to bloom.

The preferred methods for planting are either growing a Jacaranda Tree from a cutting or grafting. Young trees planted in these ways grow quickly and reach maturity faster.^{8, 9, 21}

Advice on when to plant Jacaranda Tree for the best yield suggests that jacarandas do well when planted during the cool season, anytime from fall until spring.

The Blue Jacaranda Tree grows to a significant size, and a single tree is ample for most urban residences. However, Jacaranda Trees are popular choices for lining city streets, and urban planners have to know how far apart to plant Jacaranda Trees.

The Jacaranda Tree should be planted at least 15 feet from nearby structures to allow the roots and canopy to spread.¹² It follows that jacarandas should be spaced at least twice as far (a minimum of 30 feet) from one another.

Plant the Blue Jacaranda Tree in well-draining soil in an area where it will receive full sun, as the tree requires 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight each day.³

Jacaranda Tree Care

There are many elements to Jacaranda Tree care that a gardener will want to consider. After the tree is planted, it will require many years of annual pruning to help the tree grow strong and prevent excessive breakage.³

When properly watered and pruned, the jacaranda is a moderately fast grower. Because young trees tend to develop multiple trunks or form large low branches, the Blue Jacaranda Tree should be pruned to a strong single trunk.

Branches should be evenly spaced along the trunk, and branches too large in diameter should be pruned. Regular pruning for the first 15 years of the tree’s life helps it grow into a stronger and more resilient specimen.²¹

Watering Needs for Jacaranda Tree Plants

The Jacaranda Tree is one which requires consistent water, particularly throughout the growing season. Although an established tree can usually tolerate periods of drought, jacarandas bloom more fully when they receive regular water.

Meeting the watering needs for Jacaranda Tree plants means keeping track of rainfall, either by using a rain gauge or checking the moisture of the soil.

When the top four inches of soil are dry to the touch, the Jacaranda Tree should be watered. It is important to saturate a wide area around the base of the jacaranda to ensure that all of the roots receive water.

During the summer, the Blue Jacaranda will likely require at least weekly watering in dry climates and bi-weekly watering otherwise. Monthly watering is adequate through the winter months.^1,27

Companion Plants For Growing Jacaranda Tree

The filtered shade created by the delicate, feathery leaves of the Jacaranda Tree allows for a wide array of companion plants.

Some of the best companion plants for growing Jacaranda Tree are smaller shade-loving plants such as azaleas and bromeliads which can be grown directly beneath the canopy of the jacaranda.³¹

Jacaranda Tree Disease Prevention

Many people have researched how to stop Jacaranda Tree disease, and unfortunately the two primary diseases that can affect the Jacaranda Tree cannot really be stopped. This is why it is important to learn about Jacaranda Tree disease prevention.

The first disease which a Jacaranda Tree may succumb to is mushroom root rot, caused by a specific fungus (Armillaria tabescens). Jacaranda trees in Florida, where rain levels are higher, are particularly susceptible to root rot.

As there is no known effective treatment for root rot, prevention is key. When planting a Jacaranda Tree, ensure that it is planted in a well-draining area.

If a different tree infected with root rot was previously planted in the desired location, remove as much stump and root material as possible and consider planting an annual crop in the location for several years before introducing the new tree.²⁶

The other problematic disease for Jacaranda Trees is introduced by a pest (sharpshooters) and is primarily problematic in southern California.

The insect can infect the Jacaranda Tree with a serious bacteria, Xylella fastidiosa. This bacteria can cause various fatal plant diseases for different species, and Oleander Leaf Scorch is the disease that impacts jacarandas.¹⁰

As this disease is not curable, it must be addressed through pest control prior to infection. Read the next section for more information on this.

Natural Pest Control for Jacaranda Tree

The most common pests of the Jacaranda Tree are well-known insects such as aphids and white flies, but the most problematic pest is the glass winged sharpshooter (Homalodisca vitripennis) and other sharpshooters which carry the bacteria responsible for the fatal plant disease, oleander leaf scorch.³⁰

Insecticide sprays and horticultural oils are the easiest way to combat sharpshooter populations, but it is always good to avoid pesticides whenever possible due to their impact on beneficial insects. The best natural pest control for Jacaranda Trees is biological control.

In other words, introducing insects which feed on sharpshooters and their eggs can greatly reduce the troublesome insects. Certain wasps, mantises, and lacewings are all good options.⁵

The Blue Jacaranda Tree has many unique characteristics, from its stunning blooms to its delicate foliage to its sprawling canopy. It also poses its own set of challenges for aspiring growers of jacaranda, such as its limited growing zones.

Consult this complete Jacaranda Tree guide for every piece of information needed to begin a jacaranda growing journey.

Frequently Asked Questions About Jacaranda Trees