Looking for a spectacular, tough, and vibrant plant that thrives in the extreme heat of Central Texas? Look no further than the Pride of Barbados (Caesalpinia pulcherrima).
Known for its bright, flame-colored blossoms of vibrant orange and red, this perennial is a show-stopping addition to any drought-tolerant or pollinator garden in the Austin area. In fact, you can spot the Pride of Barbados blooming non-stop in nearly every neighborhood once our hot Texas summer days arrive.
Read on for our complete guide on how to plant, care for, and successfully grow this extraordinary flowering beauty.
Why Pride of Barbados is Perfect for Texas Summers
The popularity of the Pride of Barbados in our region is due to its high tolerance for the elements that challenge many other plants:
Exceptional Heat Tolerance: It handles the relentless Texas summer sun and high temperatures with ease, blooming continuously from early summer until the first hard frost in the fall.
Low Water Needs: Once established, this plant is highly drought tolerant and does not require frequent deep watering, making it ideal for xeriscape landscapes.
Pollinator Magnet: The unique, colorful blooms are a major attraction for hummingbirds and butterflies.
Adaptable Soil: It does not require high-grade soil and performs well in the average, well-draining garden soil found throughout Central Texas.
Planting and Seasonal Care Guide
Understanding its seasonal habit is key to successfully growing the Pride of Barbados:
Sun Exposure (Crucial for Blooms)
The Pride of Barbados requires full sun to produce its signature profusion of blooms.
Plant in a spot that receives a minimum of six hours of direct sun per day.
While it can tolerate some afternoon shade, too little sun will severely limit flowering.
Hardiness and Seasonal Regrowth
Despite its almost shrub-like, bushy habit during the summer, the Pride of Barbados is a perennial in our climate (USDA Zone 8b/9a).
Winter: The plant is generally root-hardy, but it will die down to the ground after a hard freeze in the fall or winter.
Spring: Do not assume the plant is dead! It is one of the last plants to emerge in spring, often waiting until soil temperatures are consistently warm (late May or June).
Water Requirements
Establishment: Water frequently and deeply when initially planting to help it establish a strong root system.
Established: Once established, reduce watering. It will survive on natural rainfall but may benefit from supplemental watering during severe drought. From the years of drought and even after the 2021 Winter Storm, our huge planting along the highway of established plants recover every year.
Companion Plants for a Sun-Loving Texas Garden
For a cohesive and colorful drought-tolerant garden design, pair the Pride of Barbados with other heat-tolerant summer bloomers. We recommend combining its vibrant reds and oranges with blues, yellows, or soft greens:
| Plant Name | Color/Attribute | Why it Pairs Well |
| Plumbago | Bright blue or white blooms | Provides a cooling color contrast (blue) to the warm reds/oranges. |
| Yellow Bells (Tecoma stans) | Bright yellow, trumpet-shaped flowers | Creates a dramatic, heat-loving yellow and orange display. |
| Copper Canyon Daisy | Yellow daisy-like blooms and lemon fragrance | A tough perennial that blooms summer through fall, offering textural contrast. |
| Texas Sage(Leucophyllum frutescens) | Evergreen structure, silver foliage, purple blooms | Provides year-round structure and contrasting silver foliage when the perennial dies back. |
| Salvia greggii | Wide variety of colors (red, pink, purple) | Another reliable, drought-tolerant perennial that supports local pollinators. |
The Pride of Barbados, Caesalpinia pulcherrima, is often mistaken for a Texas native, however, it is not.
Perhaps the confusion is due to the fact that it performs so well here in Austin, Texas. An excellent choice and you will love the bright colorful blooms! Discover why so many love this drought tolerant plant.
