Jacaranda

Although jacaranda will outgrow their space relatively quickly, they make great foliage plants until then. Sometimes flowers form on potted specimens when they reach the 1.8m (6ft) mark, but in the UK, this is rare.

Grow outside in summer or in a greenhouse or conservatory. Not being hardy, the winter minimum night temperature needs to be at least 5°C (40°F). They will lose their leaves at this temperatures, but it is best to let them become dormant

Dormancy refers to a period of inactivity in plants, during which they slow down or stop their growth, conserving energy and resources. This is a natural process that helps them survive harsh conditions, such as winter or drought. Dormancy in seeds is a mechanism that prevents them germinating until environmental conditions are favourable for growth. . Warm conditions with low light levels would encourage legginess. They are not good houseplants.

• In winter, only water when the plant has become bone dry
• Even in summer, allow pots to dry between waterings
• Grow jacarandas in a greenhouse border or in containers of John Innes No. 2 potting compost with a little added sharp grit
• Repot every year into fresh compost
  Can refer to either home-made garden compost or seed/potting compost: • Garden compost is a soil improver made from decomposed plant waste, usually in a compost bin or heap. It is added to soil to improve its fertility, structure and water-holding capacity. Seed or potting composts are used for growing seedlings or plants in containers - a wide range of commercially produced peat-free composts are available, made from a mix of various ingredients, such as loam, composted bark, coir and sand, although you can mix your own. and a slightly larger container
• Feed every two to three weeks in the growing season
  The period of time when an individual plant is in active growth. This will depend on the local climate and light levels, and can vary between different plants, although it is broadly from spring to autumn. with a general purpose liquid fertiliser

• Pinch out
  Removal of a plant’s growing tip (usually with finger and thumb) to encourage it to produce side-shoots, forming a bushier, well-shaped plant that will bear more flowers and/or fruits. the shoot tips when seedlings
  A seedling is a young plant grown from seed. are 20-30cm (8in-1ft) high to encourage bushiness. Alternatively, let the shoot grow up to develop a short trunk and then pinch out at around 1.2-1.5m (4-5ft)
• More established jacarandas are tolerant of being pruned, making it easier to keep them for longer before they outgrow their allocated space
• Prune in late winter

Jacaranda can be propagated by either by cuttings or seeds.

Cuttings

Take semi-ripe cuttings of young growths in early summer and insert the cuttings

A method of growing new plants from parts of an existing plant, such as sections of root, stem, leaf or bud. When prepared correctly and planted in the right conditions, they can produce roots and eventually become independent plants. There is a wide range of different methods for taking cuttings, depending on the plant and time of year. into pots of cuttings compost

Can refer to either home-made garden compost or seed/potting compost: • Garden compost is a soil improver made from decomposed plant waste, usually in a compost bin or heap. It is added to soil to improve its fertility, structure and water-holding capacity. Seed or potting composts are used for growing seedlings or plants in containers - a wide range of commercially produced peat-free composts are available, made from a mix of various ingredients, such as loam, composted bark, coir and sand, although you can mix your own. and into a propagator

A propagator is a portable, lightweight structure usually plastic, with a vented or unvented lid to provide a humid, slightly warmer atmosphere. It is useful to help seeds germinate and root cuttings. It may have adjustable, thermostatic temperature control. with bottom heat of 20–24°C (68–75°F).

Seeds

Jacarandas can be raised easily from seed each year for use as foliage plants.

• Sow seeds in January/February in a temperature of 20–24°C (68–75°F)
• In warmth and good light, seedlings
  A seedling is a young plant grown from seed. grow fast and can reach 60-90cm (2–3ft) by the end of summer

It is unusual to get cultivated forms of jacaranda but the species Jacaranda mimosifolia - widely grown in warmer regions and familiar to many from holidays to such parts - is available in the UK.

RHS Find a Plant

Glasshouse whitefly and glasshouse red spider mite may be problematic under glass.