Peacock Flower (Caesalpinia pulcherrima), also called Pride of Barbados, is a fast-growing ornamental shrub or small tree with airy, fern-like bipinnate foliage and spectacular flat-topped clusters of frilly flowers. Blooms blaze in orange-red edged with yellow (pure yellow forms also exist) and carry long, showy red stamens that flutter in the breeze. It flowers prolifically through the warm season and is a powerful magnet for butterflies, sunbirds and bees. Tough, heat- and drought-tolerant once established, it suits hedges, screens and accent planting across India. The seeds and pods are toxic if eaten, so site it thoughtfully.
Specifications
| Family |
Fabaceae |
| Native region |
Tropical Americas |
| Mature height |
2-4 m |
| Mature spread |
2-3 m |
| Growth rate |
Fast |
| Foliage |
Feathery, fern-like bipinnate green leaves |
| Flower colour |
Orange-red with yellow margins; also pure yellow |
| Flower season |
Warm season, long flowering |
| Climate zone |
Tropical and subtropical |
Care guide
| Sunlight |
Full sun for best flowering |
| Watering |
Moderate; drought-tolerant once established |
| Soil / mix |
Well-drained loam; tolerates poor soils |
| Temperature |
Heat-loving 20-40C; frost-sensitive |
| Humidity |
Tolerates a wide range |
| Fertilizer |
Light balanced feed in growing season |
| Pruning |
Prune hard in late winter to renew and shape |
| Repotting |
Repot large pots every 2 years; best in ground |
| Propagation |
Seed (scarify) or semi-hardwood cuttings |
| Pests & problems |
Generally hardy; occasional caterpillars or scale |
| Toxicity / safety |
Seeds and pods toxic if ingested |
| Difficulty |
Easy |
Uses
Used as a flowering hedge, screen, or accent shrub and in butterfly gardens. Its long bloom season makes it a standout ornamental for warm-climate landscapes.
Growing tips
Plant in full sun in any well-drained soil; across most of India it flowers through the warm months and benefits from a hard prune in late winter to keep it dense and floriferous.