How far apart should I plant Tipa (rosewood)?

About 14 m (46 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 12–20 m (39–66 ft).

Does Tipa (rosewood) need full sun?

Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.

How much water does Tipa (rosewood) need?

Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.

How cold-hardy is Tipa (rosewood)?

It tolerates about -5 °C (23 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.

When does Tipa (rosewood) flower?

From about November for 3–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).

Is Tipa (rosewood) 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 Tipa (rosewood)?

"Three sisters": climbing beans use corn as a support and fix nitrogen; the benefit to the corn is modest but real in low-input soils.

Tipa (rosewood) Tipuana tipu

Tipa (rosewood) (Tipuana tipu) is a deciduous perennial tree in the Fabaceae family, native to Bolivia and north-west Argentina. It grows 12–25 m (39–82 ft) tall and 12–20 m (39–66 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -5 °C (23 °F). Space plants about 14 m (46 ft) apart.

Plan Tipa (rosewood) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.

Tipa (rosewood) at a glance

Type	Perennial tree, deciduous
Family	Fabaceae
Mature height	12–25 m (39–82 ft)
Mature spread	12–20 m (39–66 ft)
Spacing	14 m (46 ft) centre to centre
Sun	Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day
Water	Low; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none
Soil pH	6–8.5
Cold hardiness	About -5 °C (23 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 9)
Heat stress	Likely above about 42 °C (108 °F)
Flowering	from about November for 3–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones)
Wind tolerance	Moderate
Pollinator value	High
Edible	Not grown as food
Native to	Bolivia and north-west Argentina
Common in gardens of	🇦🇷 Argentina, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇪🇸 Spain, 🇮🇱 Israel, 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇺🇸 United States
Invasive in	South Africa: check local rules before planting

Is Tipa (rosewood) 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 Tipa (rosewood)

Good neighbours

good With Sweet corn: "Three sisters": climbing beans use corn as a support and fix nitrogen; the benefit to the corn is modest but real in low-input soils. Evidence C

Keep apart or take care

caution With Alliums (onion family): Onions, garlic and leeks are said to stunt beans and peas (allium root exudates may reduce nodulation). Traditional companion-planting advice; controlled trials are few, so treat it as a soft preference. Evidence D
caution With Alliums (onion family): Beans and peas are traditionally kept away from onions, garlic and leeks. Traditional companion-planting advice; controlled trials are few, so treat it as a soft preference. Evidence D
caution With Fennel: Fennel is reported to suppress beans and peas growing next to it. Evidence C

Questions about Tipa (rosewood)

How far apart should I plant Tipa (rosewood)?: About 14 m (46 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 12–20 m (39–66 ft).
Does Tipa (rosewood) need full sun?: Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
How much water does Tipa (rosewood) need?: Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
How cold-hardy is Tipa (rosewood)?: It tolerates about -5 °C (23 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 9.
When does Tipa (rosewood) flower?: From about November for 3–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
Is Tipa (rosewood) 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 Tipa (rosewood)?: "Three sisters": climbing beans use corn as a support and fix nitrogen; the benefit to the corn is modest but real in low-input soils.

Sources and evidence

Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).

Flora Argentina, IBODA-CONICET
CABI Invasive Species Compendium, CABI

Notes and assumptions

Spreading avenue tree of Buenos Aires; yellow flower carpets in late spring, and spittlebug “rain” drips from the crown in summer.

Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.

Related plants

Bush bean Phaseolus vulgaris
Garden pea Pisum sativum
Sweet pea Lathyrus odoratus
Runner bean Phaseolus coccineus
Broad bean (fava) Vicia faba
Lima bean Phaseolus lunatus
Cowpea (black-eyed pea) Vigna unguiculata
Yardlong bean Vigna unguiculata subsp. sesquipedalis