Delonix regia
 
Common Name: Royal Poinciana, Flame Tree
 
Zones: 10–12 (Outdoor Year-Round)
 
Native to Madagascar, Delonix regia is one of the most flamboyant flowering trees in the world. Known as the Royal Poinciana, Flame Tree, or Flamboyant, it erupts in fiery red-orange blooms each summer, often before its fern-like foliage reappears. Its broad, umbrella-shaped canopy makes it a prized ornamental in tropical and subtropical landscapes.
 
Key Features
Spectacular Summer Blooms: Scarlet to orange-red flowers with five petals, one often streaked with yellow or white. Flowers appear in dense clusters at branch tips2.
Feathery Foliage: Bipinnate leaves with dozens of tiny leaflets give a light, airy texture.
Fast-Growing Shade Tree: Reaches 30–40 ft tall with a spread of 40–70 ft. Ideal for parks, avenues, and large gardens3.
 
Growing Conditions
Light: Requires full sun for best flowering.
Watering: Moderate water needs. Drought-tolerant once established.
Temperature & Humidity: Thrives in warm, humid climates. Not frost-hardy.
Soil: Adaptable to loamy, sandy, or clay soils. Must be well-draining. Tolerates pH from acidic to alkaline.
 
Landscape Note: The root system is expansive and can damage nearby structures. Plant away from foundations, sidewalks, or driveways.