Combretum constrictum

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Native to tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia, Combretum constrictum, or Thailand Powderpuff, is a large shrub or vine creeper up to 5 to 10 feet tall, depending on its pruning level and support. It is grown in USDA Plant Hardiness Zones 9 to 11, but mature plants may be cold hardy at least to 30s F for a short time with some protection.

Thailand Powderpuff needs full sun or part shade and regular water, as it is native to rainforest habitats. Its reddish-crimson or vinous-color flowers are clustered, attracting butterflies, hummingbirds and other nectar seekers.

It has some ethnomedical uses in Southeast Asia, and is considered a powerful energy plant, believed to dispell negative energy, promote abundance and increase joy.

When gardening in colder climates, Thailand Powderpuff is quite suitable to pot-growing, as it can be easy managed with pruning and moved indoors during the chilliest nights. For indoor growing it requires bright indirect light, sufficient water and warm temperatures. Add a layer of mulch around the roots to prevent its root-system from cooling down with the night temperatures and losing vigor.

Overall an easy to grow and maintain plant with very showy and beautiful flowers, it will add an exotic touch to any garden with its vining foliage.

Similar plants:

• Combretum apiculatum (Red Bushwillow)
• Combretum aubletii (Monkey's brush)
• Combretum caffrum (Riverbushwillow, African bush willow, Cape Bushwillow, Bushveld willow)
• Combretum coccineum (Scarlet Comb)
• Combretum erythrophyllum (Bush willow)
• Combretum fruticosum (Orange Flame Vine, Chameleon Vine)
• Combretum grandiflorum (Showy combretum)
• Combretum indicum, Quisqualis indica (Rangoon Creeper, Burma Creeper, Chinese Honeysuckle)
• Combretum kraussii (Forest Bushwillow )
• Combretum microphyllum, Combretum paniculatum subsp. microphyllum (Flame Creeper, Burning Bush)