Tibouchina, Purple Glory Tree and Bush, Planted in SW Florida
Tibouchina, the purple glory tree, covers itself in royal purple flowers for much of the year, and it does well in warm, frost-free parts of Southwest Florida. It grows as a small tree or a large shrub and needs regular water and a sheltered spot. A 15 gallon tree form and a 3 gallon bush form are in stock, delivered and planted.
- Light:
- Full sun to part shade
- Water:
- Moderate; regular water with good drainage
- Salt:
- Low; keep out of salt spray
Tibouchina (Purple Glory 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.
| Variety or form | Sizes | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Tibuchina Purple Glory Tree | 15 Gallon | The tree form in 15 gallon, with large royal purple blooms, growing to roughly 10 to 20 ft. |
| Tibouchina Purple Bush | 3 Gallon | A shrub form in 3 gallon for borders and smaller spaces, with the same purple blooms and the same need for frost shelter. |
Tibouchina (Purple Glory Tree) in SW Florida, at a glance
- Mature size here
- Tree form 10 to 20 ft tall and wide with training; the bush form stays lower
- Light
- Full sun to part shade
- Water
- Moderate; regular water with good drainage
- Salt tolerance
- Low; keep out of salt spray
- Cold tolerance
- Frost-tender: leaves burn in a light frost and a hard freeze can kill it back; best on the coast or in a sheltered spot
- Growth rate
- Moderate
- Florida native
- No
- Botanical name
- Tibouchina granulosa (purple glory tree)
Where Tibouchina (Purple Glory Tree) works in a SW Florida yard
Use the tree form as a patio or entry specimen where you can see the purple bloom from a window, and give it 10 to 15 ft of room. The bush form works in a mixed border or against a fence.
Purple against a white wall is hard to beat, and yellow Thryallis or the deep burgundy of Ti Plant makes a strong contrast.
- Purple-flowering specimen tree
- Patio and deck accent
- Mixed border backdrop
- Trained standard in a pot
How our crew plants it
Plant in full sun or bright shade in well-drained soil, and avoid low spots, since wet roots invite root rot. Dig twice as wide as the pot, set the root ball level with the soil, and backfill with native soil and a little compost.
Stake the tree form for the first year. New plantings get the extra watering Lee and Collier allow while roots establish.
Care after planting
- Pinch or prune new growth while the tree is young so it branches well and builds a tree shape, and trim after a bloom flush.
- Keep the soil evenly moist but never soggy, since wet soil invites mushroom root rot.
- Fertilize in spring and fall with micronutrients included, and leave the summer ban on nitrogen and phosphorus, June 1 to September 30, alone.
- Cover young plants on frost nights, or plant on the south or east side of the house inland.
What to watch for
- Frost and cold wind burn the leaves, so it is a poor bet in open, frost-prone inland lots.
- Scale and nematodes can slow growth, and wet soil invites mushroom root rot.
Tibouchina (Purple Glory Tree) questions we hear
When does tibouchina bloom in Southwest Florida?+
Some flowers open much of the year, with the heaviest bloom from late spring through fall and into early winter. Each bloom is short-lived, but new buds keep coming. Full sun and regular pinching of growth tips give the best show.
Is tibouchina cold hardy in Cape Coral and Fort Myers?+
Only so-so. It prefers zone 10b and burns in a light frost, and a hard freeze can kill it back. Coastal Cape Coral and Fort Myers are usually fine, while Lehigh Acres and North Fort Myers need a sheltered spot or frost cover. For a safer inland choice, pick a hardier flowering tree.
How big does a tibouchina tree get?+
As a tree it usually reaches 10 to 20 ft tall and as wide, and pruning keeps the shape; the bush form stays lower. Plan 10 to 15 ft of clear space around the tree form. It stays a tidy, rounded tree only with regular trimming.
Updated October 2026
Get a planted price on Tibouchina (Purple Glory 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.
Also worth a look
More like this
All flowering trees
The service
Tree and shrub installation
Planning a whole yard
See it in 3D first
We deliver and plant across Cape Coral, Fort Myers, Naples, Estero, Bonita Springs and about an hour around.