Jacaranda Jacaranda mimosifolia
Jacaranda (Jacaranda mimosifolia) is a deciduous perennial tree in the Bignoniaceae family, native to Northwest Argentina and Bolivia (widely planted worldwide). It grows 8–15 m (26–49 ft) tall and 6–12 m (20–39 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -6 °C (21 °F). Space plants about 8 m (26 ft) apart.
Plan Jacaranda in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Jacaranda at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Bignoniaceae |
| Mature height | 8–15 m (26–49 ft) |
| Mature spread | 6–12 m (20–39 ft) |
| Spacing | 8 m (26 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -6 °C (21 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 40 °C (104 °F) |
| Flowering | from about May for 4–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Northwest Argentina and Bolivia (widely planted worldwide) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇿🇦 South Africa, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇵🇹 Portugal, 🇮🇱 Israel, 🇰🇪 Kenya, 🇪🇹 Ethiopia, 🇦🇷 Argentina |
| Invasive in | South Africa (NEMBA Category 3), Australia (environmental weed, Queensland and NSW): check local rules before planting |
Is Jacaranda toxic?
- People: not well documented
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
Not listed by the ASPCA; no significant toxicity is reported, but data are limited.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Jacaranda
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
See Jacaranda in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Jardim Botânico do Rio de Janeiro (1 plants)
Questions about Jacaranda
- How far apart should I plant Jacaranda?
- About 8 m (26 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 6–12 m (20–39 ft).
- Does Jacaranda need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Jacaranda need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Jacaranda?
- It tolerates about -6 °C (21 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
- When does Jacaranda flower?
- From about May for 4–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Jacaranda poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people not well documented. Not listed by the ASPCA; no significant toxicity is reported, but data are limited.
- What grows well with Jacaranda?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Jacaranda. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- PlantZAfrica, South African National Biodiversity Institute
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- UF/IFAS Extension tropical and subtropical fruit and landscape publications, University of Florida
Notes and assumptions
- Semi-deciduous in warm climates, losing leaves for a short time near flowering; frost-tender when young and will not flower in cool climates.
- Weedy where it self-seeds; seedlings take 7-14 years to bloom, grafted plants 3-5 years.
- Flowers drop and make slippery purple carpets.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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