Hummingbird Tree for Sale - Buying & Growing Guide

Planting and Care

by Mary Van Keuren | Gardener (30+ Years Experience) – last update on May 24, 2022

Planting instructions

If planting your hummingbird tree outdoors, choose a sunny location that receives at least six hours of sun a day, with soil that drains well. Unpot the sapling and tease out any encircling roots, which can girdle the tree and eventually kill it. Dig a hole that’s as deep as the root ball and twice as wide. Place the tree in the hole and, while holding it upright and steady, fill in around it with good-quality topsoil, tamping down as you go to eliminate air pockets. Water thoroughly. Apply a 2- to 3-inch layer of an organic mulch, such as bark chips, to conserve moisture and hinder weeds.

Watering and nutrients

During your tree’s first few weeks, water it every other day. Once you see new growth starting, you can cut back to a once-a-week watering, giving the tree at least an inch of water each time. After a year or so, once the tree is established, it won’t need supplemental water unless you’re experiencing drought-like conditions. Fertilize your hummingbird tree in spring with a slow-release, general purpose fertilizer, preferably one designed for tropical plants.

Pollination

Hummingbird trees are, not surprisingly, pollinated by small birds, such as hummingbirds. They are also popular with insects, such as honeybees, which are attracted to the bright flowers. Pollinated flowers grow into long, thin bean-like pods that are eaten as a delicacy in the tree’s native range.

Pruning

Your hummingbird tree needs little pruning. Monitor it throughout the year for any broken, diseased, or damaged limbs, and trim them back to healthy wood when you see them. Also cut out any suckers that grow near the base of the trunk.

Pests, diseases, and animals

The hummingbird tree has few pests or diseases. If your tree is container-grown, keep an eye on it while indoors for aphids, red spider mites, scale insects, and thrips. These are all common with plants grown primarily indoors. Handle infestations by wiping down the leaves to remove insects with a damp cloth. A general purpose insecticide can be used as a last resort. For plants grown outside, small animals, such as squirrels and other rodents, may be drawn to the edible pods.

Achieving maximum results

Growing your hummingbird tree in a container isn’t difficult. Choose a pot that is roughly twice the size of the root ball with good drainage and fill it with potting mix. Plant the tree according to our directions above, and water it until water begins to seep out of the bottom holes. You may need to water your container-grown tree more than you would if it was grown outside. In winter, set your tree in a sunny window in a shallow tray of water to increase the humidity, and mist the leaves regularly.

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