Calliandra surinamensis
 
Common Names Pink Powderpuff, Surinam Powderpuff, Pompon de Marin, Surinamese Stickpea
 
Zones 9A–11 (outdoors); Zone 8B with protection or container overwintering
 
Calliandra surinamensis is a fast-growing, evergreen shrub native to northern South America, especially Suriname. It’s beloved for its profuse, fluffy pink flowers that resemble cotton candy and bloom nearly year-round in warm climates. The plant’s fine-textured foliage and low-branching habit make it ideal for hedges, specimen plantings, and tropical borders.
 
Key Features
Growth Habit: Multi-trunked; low-branching; rounded to vase-shaped crown
Height: 10–15 ft. in cultivation; can be maintained at 5–6 ft. with pruning
Trunk: Slender stems; smooth bark; often pruned for structure
Leaves: Bipinnately compound; silky leaflets; coppery when young, maturing to deep green
Inflorescence: Globose flower heads with up to 100 long, pink-and-white stamens; bloom spring through fall, often year-round in tropical zones
Fruit: Dry brown pods, 3–6 in. long; not showy; minimal litter
Ecology: Attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees; nectar-rich; deer-resistant
 
Growing Conditions
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Watering: Moderate; prefers regular irrigation but tolerates short dry spells
Soil: Well-drained loam, sand, or clay; slightly acidic to mildly alkaline
Temperature: 45–95°F (7–35°C); protect below 30°F
Humidity: Adaptable; prefers subtropical to tropical conditions
Propagation: Seeds, cuttings, or air layering
Tolerance: High drought tolerance once established; moderate salt spray tolerance
 
Landscape Use Ideal for flowering hedges, tropical borders, and container gardens. Can be trained as a small tree or espaliered against walls. Pairs beautifully with Duranta erecta, Russelia equisetiformis, and Cestrum nocturnum for layered bloom and pollinator appeal.