Tecoma stans 'Gold' (Yellow Elder) is a vigorous evergreen shrub prized across India for its clusters of bright golden, trumpet-shaped flowers borne nearly all year in warm regions. Fast-growing and tough, it reaches 2-4 m and thrives in full sun with little fuss, making it a favourite for hedges, screens and borders. The glossy serrated leaves form a dense backdrop to the showy blooms, which attract bees, butterflies and sunbirds. Heat- and drought-tolerant once established, it suits gardens, roadsides and large containers. Regular trimming keeps it bushy and flowering. An ideal low-maintenance flowering shrub for Indian plains and coastal areas.
Specifications
| Family |
Bignoniaceae |
| Native region |
Tropical America |
| Mature height |
2-4 m |
| Mature spread |
1.5-2.5 m |
| Growth rate |
Fast |
| Foliage |
Evergreen, glossy serrated leaflets |
| Flower colour |
Bright golden yellow |
| Flower season |
Almost year-round, peak monsoon to winter |
| Climate zone |
Tropical and subtropical |
Care guide
| Sunlight |
Full sun for best flowering; tolerates light shade. |
| Watering |
Moderate; water when topsoil dries, drought-tolerant once established. |
| Soil / mix |
Well-drained loamy or sandy soil; adapts to most soils. |
| Temperature |
Thrives 15-40°C; sensitive to hard frost. |
| Humidity |
Tolerates both dry and humid conditions. |
| Fertilizer |
Feed monthly in growing season with balanced NPK or compost. |
| Pruning |
Trim after flowering flushes to keep bushy and dense. |
| Repotting |
Repot container plants every 1-2 years in fresh mix. |
| Propagation |
By seeds or semi-hardwood stem cuttings. |
| Pests & problems |
Generally pest-free; watch for mealybugs and aphids. |
| Toxicity / safety |
Mildly toxic if ingested; keep away from pets and children. |
| Difficulty |
Very easy, beginner friendly. |
Uses
Excellent for flowering hedges, screens, borders and roadside landscaping. Also grown in large pots and as a nectar source for pollinators.
Growing tips
Plant in full sun and pinch young tips to encourage branching; in the plains it flowers best after monsoon with light feeding and regular deadheading.