Silk Cotton Tree (Bombax)

The silk cotton tree is a big shade tree with a straight trunk and level branches. It drops its leaves in late winter, then its bare branches fill with large, eye-catching red flowers, followed by pods that split to release soft, cotton-like fibre.

Why a silk cotton tree?

• Large red flowers roughly February to April, before the new leaves.
• A straight trunk and wide crown for summer shade.
• Tolerates drought and dry soil once established.
• A less common tree that gives a garden real character.

Where to plant it

Large gardens, open courtyards and private farms. It becomes a very big tree over the years, so plant it well away from buildings, walls and pools, somewhere the falling flowers and cotton fibre won't bother you.

Care in the Saudi climate

• Light: full, direct sun (6+ hours).
• Water: deep, regular watering until established; then it is drought tolerant.
• Soil: well-drained; add agricultural soil and organic fertilizer at planting in sandy or alkaline ground.
• Spines: young trunks and branches carry cone-shaped spines that fade with age – handle with care.
• Leaves: dropping leaves in late winter is normal and comes before flowering.

Sizes

• 2.0–3.0 m: Young tree.
• 3.0–3.5 m: Bigger tree.

Available with or without planting service.