Overview
Calliandra houstoniana is a bushy shrubs in the genus Calliandra, part of the Fabaceae family, with evergreen foliage. Calliandra houstoniana grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam and sand soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H1b. Suggested uses include architectural, patio and container plants, sub-tropical and conservatory and greenhouse.
About
Calliandra houstoniana is a bushy, evergreen cultivar within the Calliandra genus, known for its distinctive spherical flower clusters often called 'powder puff' due to their appearance. As a member of the pea family, it thrives in full sun with a south or west-facing aspect and prefers sheltered locations. This cultivar grows well in fertile, well-drained loam or sandy soils across a range of pH levels, including acid, alkaline, and neutral. It is suitable for architectural planting, patios, containers, and sub-tropical conservatories, offering interest during spring and summer.
About the genus
Calliandra is a genus of flowering plants in the pea family, Fabaceae, in the mimosoid clade of the subfamily Caesalpinioideae. It contains about 140 species that are native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Americas.
Wikipedia contributors, "Calliandra", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Calliandra
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Calliandra
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H1b
Plant details
Calliandra houstoniana size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Shrubs
- Habit
- Bushy
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Suggested uses
- Architectural, Patio and container plants, Sub-tropical, Conservatory and greenhouse
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Calliandra houstoniana
- Propagation
- Seed sown at 16-18°C in spring, semi-ripe cuttings in summer, layering in spring
- Pest resistance
- Red spider mite, Mealybugs
- Disease resistance
- Generally disease-free
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Calliandra houstoniana?
Calliandra houstoniana prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Calliandra houstoniana need?
Calliandra houstoniana grows best in loam and sand soil. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays well-drained.
Is Calliandra houstoniana hardy in the UK?
Calliandra houstoniana has an RHS hardiness rating of H1b, meaning it needs subtropical warmth of 10–15°C and must be grown under glass in the UK.
How do I propagate Calliandra houstoniana?
Seed sown at 16-18°C in spring, semi-ripe cuttings in summer, layering in spring.
From the Fenn Plants journal
- Notes on DaffodilsWhen to plant daffodil bulbs in the UK, how deep, how to naturalise them in grass, why daffodils stop flowering (“blindness”), and why you should never mix cut daffodils with other flowers.
- Keeping Your NerveHow to garden through a heatwave — the best time to water, why deep soaks beat daily sprinkles, caring for pots and vulnerable plants, and why you can let the lawn go brown.
- Made to LastHow to clean, store and protect garden pots and planters — the frost-proof vs frost-resistant difference, winter care for terracotta and ceramic, and how to reuse a broken pot.