Orchid Tree
Bauhinia variegata
Varieties We Bring In
Last received Mar 11, 2026.
We bring this in seasonally, so what is on the lot changes week to week. A received date shows when it last came in, not that it is here today.
Call (904) 471-0440 to confirm this plant and size before you make the trip.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
Similar needs
Live Oak
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, low water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Jamaican Caper
Shares 4 of the same needs: full sun, low water, sandy, and pollinator-friendly.
Common Mallow
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, low water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Firebush
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, low water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Silverthorn
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, low water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Switchgrass
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, low water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
You may also like
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.