Floss Silk Trees, Delivered and Planted in SW Florida
A floss silk tree is a large, fast specimen for big, open yards in Southwest Florida, where pink, orchid-like flowers cover its bare branches in fall. It reaches 35 to 50 ft and carries thorns on its green trunk. The 25 gallon size is delivered and planted by our crew, who water it in and clean up.
- Light:
- Full sun
- Water:
- Low once established; drought tolerant
- Salt:
- Low, keep it off salt spray and brackish water
Floss Silk Tree sizes we deliver and plant
Every size below is planted by our crew, set at the right depth and watered in. Send the size and how many, and we text back a planted price, usually within the hour during the day.
| Plant | Sizes |
|---|---|
| Floss Silk Tree | 25 Gallon |
Floss Silk Tree in SW Florida, at a glance
- Mature size here
- 35 to 50 ft tall, 40 to 55 ft wide
- Light
- Full sun
- Water
- Low once established; drought tolerant
- Salt tolerance
- Low, keep it off salt spray and brackish water
- Cold tolerance
- Young trees are frost-tender; established trees take a brief light frost, but a hard freeze can damage twigs and trunk tips
- Growth rate
- Fast while young, slowing with age
- Spacing
- Give it a 40 ft circle, and at least 15 ft from driveways and walks
- Florida native
- No, native to South America
- Botanical name
- Ceiba speciosa
Where Floss Silk Tree works in a SW Florida yard
Floss silk tree needs space more than anything: a canopy of 40 ft or more, a trunk covered in thorns, and woody pods that open into cotton-like floss. Put it in a big, sunny yard well away from the house, pool cage and walkways, where the fall show of pink flowers can be seen from a distance.
Tabebuia and jacaranda share its sun and bloom in spring, which stretches the color across the year.
- Large specimen tree
- Fall and winter flower color
- Big, open yards
- Low-water shade tree
How our crew plants it
Keep it 15 ft from drives and walks, since large surface roots form near the base. Plant in full sun with the root flare at ground level, in a hole twice the width of the container.
Stake loosely, mulch off the trunk, and water in. Water every day or two at first; Lee and Collier both allow extra watering for new plantings.
Care after planting
- Water regularly through the first year, then back off; established trees handle dry spells well.
- Prune young trees for good branch spacing, since poorly spaced branches split and trap bark as the trunk grows.
- A light feeding in spring and another in fall is plenty for a tree this size; keep nitrogen and phosphorus out of the program from June 1 to September 30, per the Lee County, Naples and Marco Island ban.
- Cover young trees on frost nights; they are tender until the trunk matures.
What to watch for
- The trunk and young branches carry sharp, conical thorns, so keep the tree away from kids, pets and walkways, and wear heavy gloves when working near it.
- A tree this big drops spent blooms, floss-filled pods and some limbs in storms, so keep it well clear of the house and pool cage.
Floss Silk Tree questions we hear
When does a floss silk tree bloom in Florida?+
Floss silk trees bloom in fall into early winter, usually starting in October, when the tree is nearly bare. The pink and white flowers look like narrow-petaled hibiscus and are followed by large, pear-shaped pods filled with silky white floss. A young tree may take a few years before it blooms well, so plan on some patience.
Are the thorns on a floss silk tree dangerous?+
Yes, they are sharp. The green trunk and young branches carry stout, cone-shaped thorns that can puncture skin, though some older bark turns gray and loses its thorns. Plant the tree away from walks, play areas and fences, and handle it with heavy gloves.
How far from the house should I plant a floss silk tree?+
Keep it well away: at least 30 ft from the house, pool cage and power lines, and 15 ft or more from driveways and walks. A mature tree reaches 35 to 50 ft tall and 40 to 55 ft wide, with large surface roots near the base. A smaller yard is better off with a smaller flowering tree.
Updated October 2026
Get a planted price on Floss Silk Tree
Tell us what and how many. Quinten prices it from the nursery's live list and texts you back, usually within the hour during the day.
Only need the plant delivered, no planting? It is on our nursery's list at Palm & Plant Co.
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We deliver and plant across Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Naples, Estero, Bonita Springs and about an hour around.