Red silk-cotton tree (kapok) Bombax ceiba
Red silk-cotton tree (kapok) (Bombax ceiba) is a deciduous perennial tree in the Malvaceae family, native to Tropical and subtropical Asia to N Australia. It grows 15–25 m (49–82 ft) tall and 10–15 m (33–49 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about 0 °C (32 °F). Space plants about 12 m (39 ft) apart.
Plan Red silk-cotton tree (kapok) in your garden →
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Red silk-cotton tree (kapok) at a glance
| Type | Perennial tree, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Malvaceae |
| Mature height | 15–25 m (49–82 ft) |
| Mature spread | 10–15 m (33–49 ft) |
| Spacing | 12 m (39 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 6–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About 0 °C (32 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 44 °C (111 °F) |
| Flowering | from about March for 3–5 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Yes: flowers (cooked) |
| Native to | Tropical and subtropical Asia to N Australia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇨🇳 China, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇸🇬 Singapore |
Is Red silk-cotton tree (kapok) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
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 Red silk-cotton tree (kapok)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
See Red silk-cotton tree (kapok) in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Fairy Lake Botanical Garden (3 plants)
Questions about Red silk-cotton tree (kapok)
- How far apart should I plant Red silk-cotton tree (kapok)?
- About 12 m (39 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 10–15 m (33–49 ft).
- Does Red silk-cotton tree (kapok) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Red silk-cotton tree (kapok) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Red silk-cotton tree (kapok)?
- It tolerates about 0 °C (32 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10.
- When does Red silk-cotton tree (kapok) flower?
- From about March for 3–5 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Red silk-cotton tree (kapok) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
- What grows well with Red silk-cotton tree (kapok)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Red silk-cotton tree (kapok). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Flora of China, Missouri Botanical Garden & Harvard University Herbaria (eFloras)
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
Notes and assumptions
- Guangzhou's city flower: huge scarlet flowers on bare, tiered branches in February–March; buttressed, prickly trunk.
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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- Durian Durio zibethinus
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