How Old Does a Jacaranda Tree Have to Be to Bloom?

Grafted Jacarandas Bloom Fastest

• The most important factor in determining the age when your jacaranda will first bloom is whether it was grafted. Grafts are clones whose branches are genetically identical to the parent. If the parent was a mature, blooming jacaranda, then the grafted offspring can bloom within three to five years. Some nurseries sell grafted jacarandas already in bloom or with promises of blooms within the first year. Jacarandas started from softwood cuttings take five to seven years to bloom. On the other hand, jacarandas started from seed can take seven to 25 years to bloom. Ask the nursery if its trees are seedlings, cuttings or grafts.

Jacarandas Bloom in Full Sun

• Regardless of your jacaranda's age, it is not likely to bloom unless it is in full sun. Jacarandas are native to sunny, subtropical parts of South America. If you plant a jacaranda in shade, it will grow slower than usual until it reaches the sun. Once the sun hits its canopy in full force, the jacaranda will grow faster and be more likely to bloom. Depending on the height of the shade, planting a jacaranda tree in shade can delay blooms indefinitely.

Neglected Jacarandas Bloom Faster

• Watering and fertilizing can delay the first bloom of your jacaranda tree. Light applications are fine in the first couple of years to help establish it. Once established, jacarandas need little care. They are drought-tolerant. Water lightly only in hot, dry summer months after the tree has finished blooming. Over-watering can halt or prevent blooms. Avoid fertilizing jacarandas. Fertilizer provides excess nitrogen, which triggers a growth phase and stops the reproductive, flowering phase. For faster blooms, neglect your jacaranda.

Pruned Jacarandas May Not Bloom

• Avoid pruning jacarandas. Jacarandas have a natural umbrella shape that can be ruined by pruning. Any cuts, especially heavy pruning or topping, may severely impede or prevent blooms. If you must prune your jacaranda, do so sparingly. Cut only vertical growth close to its base. To preserve blooms, prune only in spring, right after the flowers fall and not more than once every three years. For the earliest blooms, don't prune.

Freezes or Ocean Spray

• Jacarandas bloom best in cool, dry winters, but they will not take freezing temperatures for long. They will endure a few short freezes that last a matter of hours, but they won't bloom if subjected to multiple, long freezes. Also, jacarandas may not bloom at sea level, so if your tree is planted by the beach, you may be waiting for flowers forever. Jacarandas grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 9b to 11 and grow best in well-draining soil.