Tibouchina semidecandra
Glory bush · Lasiandra · Purple glory tree
Description
Source: leafsnapPleroma semidecandrum, synonym Tibouchina semidecandra, the princess flower, glory bush, or lasiandra, is a flowering plant in the family Melastomataceae, native to southeast Brazil.
🌳 Princess flower is a widely cultivated ornamental plant, admired for its bright purple blooms that can improve landscape appearance. Beyond its looks, studies indicate that the plant's flowers may contain relatively high levels of anthocyanin pigments. These pigments could be applied in the natural dye sector for textiles, providing a sustainable and eco-friendly substitute for synthetic dyes. Although not yet commercially used for this purpose, the plant shows promise for future applications in bio-based products.
Care Guide
💧 Water
☀️ Light Full sun
Princess flower does best in places where sunlight is present all day, though it can also grow satisfactorily in spots with somewhat less sun. Its native habitat provides this light regime, encouraging healthy plant development. Too much or too little sunlight can negatively affect the plant's growth.
🌡️ Temperature 20–37.8°C
Princess flower is native to areas with moderate climates and typically prefers temperatures between 68 and 100 °F (20 to 38 ℃). In cooler months, keep the princess flower above 68 °F (20 ℃). In hot summer, provide sufficient shade to prevent temperatures from exceeding 100 °F (38 ℃).
💨 Humidity
🪴 Soil 6-6
🌱 Fertilizer
The best time to fertilize a Princess flower is in early spring, as it breaks dormancy. This encourages overall growth and flower development. Fertilization improves the foliage, stems, and branches, and promotes flowers that are large, vibrant, and long-lasting. It also helps transfer nutrients from the roots to the blooms and enhances the plant’s health and resistance to disease.
🪴 Pot & Repot
✂️ Pruning
🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity
Characteristics
- Plant Type
- Shrub
- Life Cycle
- Perennial
- Genus
- Tibouchina
- Family
- Melastomataceae
- Hardiness Zone
- 10-12
- Mature Height
- 3.05 m to 4.57 m
- Mature Spread
- 61 cm to 91 cm
- Leaf Color
- Green, Red
- Leaf Type
- Evergreen
- Flower Color
- Purple, Pink, Red
- Flower Size
- 10.16 cm to 12.70 cm
- Bloom Time
- Late spring, Summer
- Planting Time
- Spring, Autumn
- Harvest Time
- Mid summer, Late summer, Early fall
- Native Area
- Brazil, Honduras, Costa Rica