Jacarandas: Planting, Watering, and Maintenance Tips

Jacaranda mimosifolia is a fast-growing, deciduous tree known for its wide canopy and vivid violet-blue flowers in late spring. Best suited to frost-free regions. Performs well in large gardens where filtered shade and seasonal colour are key requirements.

Key Specs

• Mature Height: 10–12 m

• Mature Width: 6–8 m

• Form: Broad-spreading, semi-deciduous

• Growth Rate: Moderate to fast

• Shade: Light-filtered, ideal over lawn

• Maintenance Level: Moderate

• Flowering: Late spring (Oct–Nov), lasts 6–8 weeks

• Suitability: Not frost-hardy. Avoid in cold or exposed areas.

Planting Guidelines

• Space: Requires minimum 6 m clearance from buildings or other trees. Roots are not invasive but canopy spread must be considered.

• Light: Requires full sun. Will not flower properly in part shade.

• Soil: Needs well-drained soil. Poor performance in heavy clay or water-retentive conditions.

• Wind: Tolerates some exposure but can drop limbs if not structurally pruned early. Stake when young.

Compared to Gleditsia or Tristaniopsis, Jacaranda offers stronger flower colour but needs more space and is less structured in form.

Watering

• Deep water once per week during establishment (first 12–24 months).

• Reduce to fortnightly or rain-dependent once mature.

• Surface watering is ineffective — deep watering promotes stronger root development.

Maintenance

• Pruning: Annual formative pruning in spring or early summer is essential. Remove weak limbs and manage canopy shape while young.

• Flower Drop: Heavy petal drop is normal. Avoid planting over driveways or tiled surfaces unless this is a feature, not a flaw.

• Seed Pods: Develop after flowering. Large, woody, and disc-shaped. Harmless but may require seasonal clean-up if tree is in a high-traffic area.

FAQs

Do Jacarandas drop flowers?
Yes. Flower drop is heavy during bloom and is a defining seasonal feature.

When do Jacarandas bloom in Australia?
Typically between late October and early December, depending on region and rainfall.

How long do they bloom for?
Usually 6 to 8 weeks, occasionally longer in warmer climates.

What do the seed pods look like?
Hard, round, woody pods — roughly 5–7 cm in diameter. Turn brown or black as they mature.

Is It the Right Tree for Your Garden?

Choose Jacaranda if:

• You want a high-impact seasonal feature tree.

• You have room for a wide, spreading canopy.

• You live in a frost-free area.

• You’re willing to manage seasonal clean-up.

Consider alternatives like Gleditsia ‘Shademaster’ for filtered shade with lower maintenance or Tristaniopsis laurina for compact, year-round foliage and structure with minimal drop.

Order Jacaranda Trees Direct from Our Nursery

We stock Jacaranda mimosifolia in a range of advanced sizes. Grown on-site and available for delivery across Victoria and interstate.

Browse availability now at www.evergreentrees.com.au