Flamboyant tree (Delonix regia) | plant

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• Latin name: Delonix regia
• Danish names: Flammetræ, flamboyant
• English names: Royal poinciana, flamboyant, flame tree

Delonix regia, better known as the flame tree or flamboyant, is a spectacular tropical tree, especially famous for its lavish flowering in intense shades of red, orange, and scarlet. When a mature tree is in full bloom, its canopy can be almost completely covered in flowers—a sight that has made the flame tree one of the world's most well-known tropical ornamental trees.

The species is originally native to Madagascar but is now grown as an ornamental tree in tropical and subtropical regions across large parts of the world. In Denmark, Delonix regia is cultivated as an exotic container plant that can be kept in a warm, sunny spot outdoors during the summer and must be overwintered frost-free.

Appearance and growth

The flame tree develops a broad, elegant canopy and has highly decorative, bipinnate leaves. Each leaf consists of a large number of small green leaflets, which together give the foliage a fine, light, and almost fern-like appearance.

In tropical regions, Delonix regia can develop into a large tree with a wide, umbrella-shaped canopy. When grown in a container, the plant remains significantly smaller, and its size can be managed through both pot size and pruning.

The fine foliage makes the flame tree decorative even as a young plant, long before it potentially becomes old enough to bloom.

A spectacular red bloom

It is primarily the flowers that have made Delonix regia famous. The large flowers appear in clusters and typically consist of four vibrant red to orange-red petals, as well as a fifth petal that often features lighter markings in whitish, yellowish, or red shades.

On a large tree, the flowers can be so dense that the entire canopy seems to glow red. It is precisely this impressive flowering that is behind names such as "flame tree."

After flowering, long, flat, dark seed pods may form, which can become quite large on older trees.

Flame tree as a container plant in Denmark

Although Delonix regia is a tropical tree, it can be grown as a container plant under Danish conditions. The plant loves heat and sun and can therefore be kept outdoors on a warm, sunny terrace or in a greenhouse throughout the summer.

Before the temperature drops in the autumn, the plant must be moved to a frost-free location. A bright greenhouse, a conservatory, or a very bright indoor spot is suitable for overwintering.

It requires patience and very good growing conditions to get a flame tree to bloom in a pot. However, the plant is also attractive without flowers due to its fine, exotic foliage and characteristic growth.

Cultivation and care

• Light: The flame tree loves light and thrives best in a very sunny location. Abundant direct sunlight provides the most vigorous and compact growth.
• Temperature: Prefers warm conditions and thrives well at around 20–30 °C during the growing season. The plant does not tolerate frost.
• Soil: Use nutrient-rich, airy, and well-drained soil. Good drainage is important so the roots are not constantly wet.
• Watering: Water regularly through the warm growing season, but allow the top layer of soil to dry slightly between waterings. During the winter, reduce watering significantly.
• Fertilizer: Fertilize regularly through the spring and summer to support vigorous growth. We recommend a good organic fertilizer.
• Pruning: The plant tolerates pruning and can be shaped to keep it more compact and to encourage denser branching.
• Outdoors in summer: Benefits from being kept outdoors in a warm and sunny location during the summer. Plants that have overwintered indoors should be gradually acclimated to direct sunlight.
• Overwintering: Overwinters in a bright, frost-free place. In a cooler winter location, the plant should be watered significantly less. It may react to changing light and temperature conditions by shedding some of its leaves.

A tropical tree from Madagascar

Delonix regia has an interesting history. Although the flame tree is now a familiar sight along roads, in parks, and in gardens in many tropical countries, the species originates from Madagascar.

From there, through cultivation, it has spread to warm regions across much of the world, where the combination of its broad canopy, elegant foliage, and spectacular flowering has made it a popular ornamental tree.

An exotic tree with a very special character

The flame tree is an exciting plant for anyone who loves exotic trees and tropical flowering plants. Even as a young plant, the fine, fern-like foliage is decorative, and over time, the plant can develop into a beautiful small tree in a container.

With Delonix regia, you have the opportunity to grow one of the most spectacular tropical flowering trees—known worldwide for the almost flaming red canopy that gave the flame tree its name.