Bombax ceiba (Kapok tree)

Bombax ceiba (Kapok tree) red flower clusters on bare branches against blue sky background
Bombax ceiba (Kapok tree) with thick clusters of red flower petals on wooden branches.
large video
Bombax ceiba

Botanical names: Bombax ceiba, Salmalia malabarica, Bombax malabaricum

Common names: Kapok tree, Silk Cotton Tree

Family: Malvaceae    (Formerly:Bombacaceae)

Subfamily: Bombacoideae

Origin: Tropical Asia

USDA Plant Hardiness Map

USDA Zone: 9-11?

Hardiness: 30°F

USDA Plant Hardiness MapLarge tree taller than 20 ftFull sunWatering: Regular. Let topsoil dry slightlyRed, crimson, vinous flowersPlant attracts butterflies, hummingbirdsDeciduous plant

Bombax ceiba, commonly known as Red Silk Cotton Tree or Red Kapok Tree, is a spectacular deciduous tree in the Malvaceae family native to tropical and subtropical Asia, extending from India and southern China to Southeast Asia and northern Australia. It is one of the region's most iconic flowering trees, eventually reaching 60 to 130 feet (18 to 40 m) tall. Young trees usually have a straight trunk armed with large conical prickles, while mature specimens develop massive buttresses and broad, spreading branches. During the dry season, the tree sheds its leaves before producing a breathtaking display of large, fragrant scarlet to crimson flowers on otherwise bare branches.

The nectar-rich blossoms attract birds, bees, and other pollinators and are followed by woody capsules filled with silky fibers surrounding the seeds, traditionally used for stuffing pillows and cushions. Its lightweight yet durable timber is widely used for furniture, canoes, and other wood products, while the tree also holds cultural significance in parts of South and Southeast Asia. Bombax ceiba grows best in full sun and well-drained soil with regular moisture while becoming drought tolerant after establishment. Hardy in USDA Zones 9b-11, it is widely planted as a specimen, shade, and avenue tree. Older literature often refers to this species as Bombax malabaricum or Salmalia malabarica, both of which are now regarded as synonyms of Bombax ceiba.

Similar plants: Bombax ceiba (Kapok tree)


Image gallery: 25 images
Bombax ceiba (Kapok tree) with grey thorny plant bark in close up view.
Bombax ceiba (Kapok tree) with rough grey bark texture and sharp thorns along the trunk.
Bombax ceiba with purple flower bud in a close up portrait image
Bombax ceiba flower bud with smooth texture and dark purple outer skin.
Bombax ceiba pink flower bud close up with dark green leaves in background
Bombax ceiba flower bud with pink petals and green sepals and broad leaves
Bombax ceiba red flower close up on branch against blurred grassy background terrain.
Bombax ceiba flower with intense red petals and dark stamens on branch.
Bombax ceiba red flower close up with thick petals and prominent dark stamens
Bombax ceiba flower showing bold red petals and a cluster of long stamens.
Bombax ceiba (Kapok tree) with red flowers on branches, an anhinga bird perching nearby.
Bombax ceiba (Kapok tree) with red flowers and a dark anhinga bird on the branch.
Bombax ceiba (Kapok tree) with red flowers and green leaves on a tree branch
Bombax ceiba (Kapok tree) with red flowers and a black bird sitting on a branch.
Bombax ceiba (Kapok tree) white fluffy fruit bursting from brown woody pod close up
Bombax ceiba (Kapok tree) with white fiber emerging from a split brown seed pod overhead.
Bombax ceiba with intense red petals in a close up flower portrait view
Bombax ceiba with clusters of thick red petals against a spiky tree bark
Bombax ceiba (Kapok tree) white fluffy fruit nestled among many light green oval leaves tree.
Bombax ceiba (Kapok tree) open fruit pods releasing white fluffy fibers among dense green foliage.
Bombax ceiba (Kapok tree) white fluffy fruit fiber with small black seeds close up.
Bombax ceiba (Kapok tree) seeds surrounded by soft white fluffy fiber lying on the ground.
Bombax ceiba (Kapok tree) brown seed pods with white fluffy fiber close up branch
Bombax ceiba (Kapok tree) branches covered in brown seed pods releasing soft white fluffy fiber.
Bombax ceiba (Kapok tree) orange flower, close up of buds and open petals on branch.
Bombax ceiba (Kapok tree) with orange petals and dark stamens on thick green buds.
Bombax ceiba (Kapok tree) orange flower close up on textured brown woody branch against blue
Bombax ceiba (Kapok tree) branch with open orange flowers and many small green round buds
Bombax ceiba (Kapok tree) with green fruit, close up on wooden branch against blue sky.
Bombax ceiba (Kapok tree) with green, rounded fruit clustered on a bare, thick woody branch.
Bombax ceiba (Kapok tree) orange flower close up on a thick woody tree branch
Bombax ceiba (Kapok tree) orange flower attached to a thick woody stem during the day
Bombax ceiba (Kapok tree) orange flower close up against bare branches on a wooden tree.
Bombax ceiba (Kapok tree) with orange flower petals opening on a thick, woody, brown tree branch.
Bombax ceiba (Kapok tree) orange flower held in hand close up view on blurry background
Bombax ceiba (Kapok tree) with thick orange petals held in a hand during the day.
Bombax ceiba (Kapok tree) white fluffy fruit bursting from its shell, close up view.
Bombax ceiba (Kapok tree) white fluffy fruit splitting open to reveal cottony fibers on branches.
Bombax ceiba (Kapok tree) orange flower clusters on bare woody branches against clear blue sky
Bombax ceiba (Kapok tree) orange flowers on woody branches stand against a clear blue sky
Bombax ceiba (Kapok tree) with red flowers, close up against clear blue sky.
Bombax ceiba (Kapok tree) with red flowers clustered along thick gray branches.
Bombax ceiba (Kapok tree) orange flower close up against a clear blue sky background
Bombax ceiba (Kapok tree) orange flower and green buds growing from a thick woody branch
Bombax ceiba (Kapok tree) red flower close up on textured brown tree bark surface.
Bombax ceiba (Kapok tree) flower with intense red petals resting against textured brown tree bark.
Bombax ceiba (Kapok tree) with thick brown trunk and pink flowers on branches.
Bombax ceiba (Kapok tree) trunk with heavy branches and fallen pink flowers on ground.
Bombax ceiba (Kapok tree) with red flower blossoms covering the thick twisted tree branches
Bombax ceiba (Kapok tree) with heavy red flower clusters on wide and curving gray limbs


Link to this plant:
https://toptropicals.com/catalog/uid/bombax_ceiba.htm
Bombax (Ceiba) malabaricum - Red Kapok tree

3272 Bombax (Ceiba) malabaricum - Red Kapok tree

Red Kapok tree is a remarkable tree with spectacular display of bright red flowers, which bloom during the spring season. The flowers are large, showy, and have a sweet fragrance, making them popular with birds and insects. The tree's blossoms are also used in traditional medicine for their medicinal properties.
See Planting Guide & Care Tips


Recommended Fertilizer: SUNSHINE Megaflor - Bloom Nutrition Booster
Grown in
6"/1 gal or larger pot
Notify me when available
 

About Tropical Plant Encyclopedia · Pictogram Guide·