Overview

Bauhinia glabra is a shrub or small tree climber wall shrub in the genus Bauhinia, part of the Fabaceae family, with deciduous, lobed, camel's foot-shaped foliage. Bauhinia glabra grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H4. Suggested uses include specimen tree and ornamental.

About

Bauhinia glabra, also commonly referred to as the monkey step/ladder, is more often introduced with its accepted name, whereas Bauhinia cumanensis, is a synonym for the plant name. B.

About the genus

Bauhinia is a large genus of flowering plants in the subfamily Cercidoideae and tribe Bauhinieae, in the large flowering plant family Fabaceae, with a pantropical distribution. The genus was named after the Bauhin brothers Gaspard and Johann, Swiss-French botanists.

Wikipedia contributors, "Bauhinia", CC BY-SA 4.0Bauhinia

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Bauhinia

Sunlight
Full sun
Soil type
Loam
Soil pH
Neutral
Soil moisture
Well-drained
Aspect
South-facing
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness
H4

Plant details

Bauhinia glabra size, habit and characteristics

Plant type
Climber Wall Shrub
Habit
Shrub or small tree
Foliage
Deciduous, lobed, camel's foot-shaped
Suggested uses
Specimen tree, ornamental

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Bauhinia glabra

Propagation
Seed, semi-ripe cuttings
Pest resistance
Generally pest-resistant
Disease resistance
Generally disease-resistant

Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to plant Bauhinia glabra?

Bauhinia glabra prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.

What soil does Bauhinia glabra need?

Bauhinia glabra grows best in loam soil. It prefers neutral soil. Aim for soil that stays well-drained.

Is Bauhinia glabra hardy in the UK?

Bauhinia glabra has an RHS hardiness rating of H4, meaning it is hardy through an average UK winter, tolerating -10 to -5°C.

How do I propagate Bauhinia glabra?

Seed, semi-ripe cuttings.

More in the Bauhinia genus

Browse all Bauhinia