The Caesalpinia pulcherrima, or Pride of Barbados, is an ornamental shrub celebrated for its tropical, fiery coloration. It is also known as Peacock Flower, Red Bird of Paradise, and Dwarf Poinciana. Its striking bowl-shaped flowers feature brilliant orange, red, and yellow petals, contrasted by ten prominent, extended red stamens. The delicate, fern-like foliage provides a fine texture that beautifully offsets the dramatic blooms. Native to the tropical and subtropical Americas, this heat-loving species is cultivated for its long, continuous bloom period throughout the warmer months.
Ideal Growing Conditions and Planting
Successful cultivation of the Pride of Barbados requires maximum light exposure. The plant demands full, direct sunlight, ideally receiving eight or more hours daily to ensure prolific flowering. If the plant receives less than six hours of sun, it will grow but produce significantly fewer blooms.
A well-draining soil medium is necessary, as this species is highly intolerant of saturated conditions and prone to root rot. It tolerates a wide pH range, thriving in slightly acidic to alkaline soils.
In USDA Hardiness Zones 9 through 11, the Pride of Barbados functions as a perennial shrub or small tree. Gardeners in Zone 8 can treat it as a die-back perennial, where it freezes to the ground but reliably returns from the roots in the spring. The best time for initial planting is in spring or early summer after the last threat of frost has passed.
Dig a planting hole twice as wide as the root ball but no deeper than its current container depth. Gently place the plant, ensuring the top of the root ball is level with the surrounding soil, and then backfill the hole. Water thoroughly to settle the soil and eliminate air pockets.
Essential Maintenance: Watering, Feeding, and Pruning
Watering requirements change significantly as the plant matures. Newly planted specimens need consistent moisture to establish a robust root system, usually requiring watering one to two times per week. Once established, the plant exhibits strong drought tolerance and requires far less frequent irrigation.
During extreme heat, supplemental deep watering helps maintain vigor and heavy blooming. Allow the top one to two inches of soil to dry completely between waterings.
The shrub benefits from moderate feeding throughout the growing season to support flowering. Apply a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer early in the spring as new growth begins. Fertilizers with a higher phosphorus content, such as a 5-30-5 ratio, can maximize bloom production. Avoid excessive use of high-nitrogen fertilizers, which encourage foliage growth at the expense of flower buds.
Pruning helps manage the plant’s natural tendency toward legginess. The best time for major shaping is in late winter or very early spring before new growth appears. Since flowers are produced on new wood, pruning at this time will not reduce the season’s bloom count.
In cooler zones where the plant dies back, cutting the stems down to six to eighteen inches above the ground encourages a fuller, bushier shape. Throughout the summer, removing spent flower spikes (deadheading) encourages continuous flushes of new blooms.
Propagation and Cold Weather Protection
The Pride of Barbados is easily propagated, most commonly through seed collection. The plant produces flattened, oblong seed pods that turn brown and dry out when mature, often explosively scattering the small, hard seeds. Collect these pods just as they begin to dry out to prevent natural dispersal.
The seeds have a hard outer shell requiring scarification to permit water absorption and germination. This is accomplished by gently nicking the seed coat or soaking the seeds in tepid water for twenty-four to forty-eight hours before sowing. Plant the prepared seeds in a well-draining mix in a warm, sunny location; germination typically occurs within a few weeks.
Softwood Cuttings
Alternatively, the plant can be propagated using softwood cuttings taken from new growth during spring or summer. Dip the base of the cutting in rooting hormone powder before inserting it into a moist, well-aerated rooting medium. This method often results in a plant that flowers sooner than one grown from seed.
Winterizing Outdoors
In the colder parts of its range, the plant requires specific protection to survive winter. In Zones 8 and 9, where the plant may freeze back to the ground, apply a thick layer of loose, breathable organic mulch over the plant’s crown after the first frost. This mulch insulates the root system, allowing the plant to reliably sprout again from the base in mid-spring.
Overwintering Indoors
For regions outside its perennial range, or for container plants, the plant must be overwintered indoors. Move the container to a sunny, south-facing window where the temperature remains above 55 degrees Fahrenheit. During this period of reduced growth, decrease watering significantly, allowing the soil to become moderately dry between applications.