Tree
Orchid Tree
Bauhinia variegata
Varieties We Carry
StandardBauhinia variegata
Sizes & Pricing
30 galFrom$195.00
Fresh this week. Last restocked Mar 11.
LightFull Sun, Part Sun
WaterLow
Mature size20-35 feet × 25-35 feet
About Orchid Tree
Orchid Tree (Bauhinia variegata) is a semi-deciduous to deciduous tree native to Southeast Asia and the Indian subcontinent, famous for its spectacular, orchid-like flowers in shades of pink, magenta, and white that appear in late winter and spring, often before the bilobed leaves emerge. The distinctive butterfly- or camel-hoof-shaped leaves are a hallmark of the Bauhinia genus. Widely planted throughout tropical and subtropical regions as a flowering specimen tree. Starting at $195.00.
Plant details
- Bloom Season
- Winter, Spring
- Flower Color
- Purple, White
- Growth Rate
- Fast
- Foliage
- Semi-evergreen
- Soil
- Sandy, Clay, Loam, Acidic, Well-drained
Best planting months
Recommended forZone 9b · St. Augustine, FL
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This monthGood windowOther months
Seasonal care
Bloom season. Good planting window.
Handles summer heat well once established.
Ideal planting window.
Bloom season. May lose some foliage in cold snaps. Can be planted in mild winter periods.
Care essentials
Light
Orchid tree performs best in full sun, which maximizes flower production and tight, dense branching. It tolerates partial sun but flowering is reduced. NE Florida's open, sunny sites are ideal.
Water
Once established, orchid tree is drought-tolerant and actually flowers best on drier soils — avoid overwatering. Water young trees regularly during the first growing season to establish roots; thereafter, supplemental irrigation is rarely needed in NE Florida except during prolonged drought.
Soil & Fertilizer
Orchid tree tolerates a wide range of well-drained soils. Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer once in spring; note that potassium deficiency is common in NE Florida's sandy soils, so use a fertilizer that includes potassium and micronutrients. Note: Bauhinia variegata is flagged as potentially invasive in central and south Florida — manage seedlings to prevent escape.
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Common questions
Is Orchid Tree a good plant for St. Augustine?
Orchid Tree is a tree for Zone 9b coastal Florida gardens, reaching 20-35 feet × 25-35 feet.
Care information verified from
Last reviewed March 2026. Our care guidance comes from trusted horticulture sources and decades of helping St. Augustine gardeners. Conditions here can vary dramatically from one area to the next, so come ask us and we'll tailor it to your yard.