Erythrina is a genus of plants with over 130 species of shrubs, herbaceous plants, and red flowering trees distributed in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide.
It’s a member of the Fabaceae, also called Leguminosae, but most commonly known as the bean, legume, or pea family.
The Fabaceae family comprises about 20,000 species and 700 genera of shrubs, trees, vines, and herbs worldwide.
This makes Erythrina closely related to the following agriculturally and economically important plants:
- Acacia
- Alfalfa
- Clover
- Garden peas
- Licorice
- Lupine
- Peanuts
- Soybeans
- Sweet pea
- Tamarind
The genus name is derived from the Greek word “erythros,” meaning “red,” referencing the certain species’ color of the flower.
This plant is native to South America, including regions of northern Argentina, eastern Brazil, Bolivia, Paraguay, Peru, and Uruguay. This species is also often naturalized in swamps, wetlands, waterways, and urban bushland.
Erythrina is a wonderful flowering plant with showy large pea-like flowers borne in elongated clusters at branches’ tips.
Other common names for this plant include:
- Coral Tree
- Coral Bush
- Common Coral Tree
Some examples of the famous and most cultivated Erythrina species include:
- Erythrina caffra – Coast coral tree or African coral tree
- Erythrina crista-galli – Cockspur coral tree
- Erythrina corallodendron – Red bean tree
- Erythrina coralloides – Flame coral tree, Naked coral tree
- Erythrina variegata – Tiger’s claw or Indian coral tree
- Quick Tips On Erythrina
- Erythrina Care
- How Big Does The Coral Tree Grow?
- When Does The Coral Tree Bloom? Are The Flowers Fragrant?
- What Are The Lighting Needs And Temperature Requirements?
- How And When To Water And Fertilize Coral Trees?
- What Is The Best Soil For Erythrina, And When Should You Transplant?
- Does Erythrina Need Special Grooming Or Maintenance?
- How To Propagate Common Coral Tree?
- Erythrina Pests And Diseases
- Uses Of Coral Bush
Quick Tips On Erythrina
- Family: Fabaceae
- Light: Full sun
- Temperature: As low as 15° degrees Fahrenheit
- Water: Moderate water
- Fertilizer: Liquid fertilizer or plant food
- Propagation: Seeds, stem cuttings, division
- Common Problems: Aphids, nematodes, thrips, twig borers, whiteflies
Erythrina Care
Most Erythrina species are easy-to-grow and low-maintenance shrubs, making them excellent plants for your garden.
Here are the steps to consider when growing them in your garden.
How Big Does The Coral Tree Grow?
Erythrina is a broadly spreading tree with extremely vigorous growth, typically growing from 15′ to 20′ tall. However, the height variation may vary depending on the species.
In optimal conditions, other species may occasionally reach 30′ feet tall, and even larger species reach up to 98′ feet tall.
When Does The Coral Tree Bloom? Are The Flowers Fragrant?
Coral trees feature showy pea-shaped flowers borne in large, elongated clusters in the branches’ tips, having 20 to 40 flowers.
The flowers come in shades of red, orange, or coral but may differ depending on the species. In addition, some have color variations, including salmon, yellow, or green.
The stems are covered in sharp thorns with three elongated leathery dark green leaflets.
The pea-shaped flowers typically appear in summer or early fall and are followed by elongated seed pods that ripen to brown.
What Are The Lighting Needs And Temperature Requirements?
Coral trees thrive in full sun but don’t tolerate direct sunlight when grown indoors.
They are best planted in USDA hardiness zones 9 to 11, with temperatures exceeding 50° degrees Fahrenheit when planted outdoors in these regions in the early spring.
Erythrina plants may survive cold temperatures as low as 15° degrees Fahrenheit, but anything below it may inhibit the flower’s flowering.
When planted outdoors, it’s best to protect your plant with mulch in winter.
How And When To Water And Fertilize Coral Trees?
Water your Coral tree regularly in spring, summer, and fall, but limit watering during winter dormancy, especially container-grown plants.
If grown in a container, hold off on watering unless the leaves begin to droop.
Throughout the active growing season, sparingly yet regularly feed your plant with liquid fertilizer or plant food.
What Is The Best Soil For Erythrina, And When Should You Transplant?
Erythrina plants thrive in moist, well-drained soils but may also be easily grown in sandy or rich porous soil with excellent drainage.
If grown in a container, use regular potting soil and combine it with coarse sand for the best results.
Each year, repotting is recommended before the active growing period begins. Don’t forget to use fresh soil.
Does Erythrina Need Special Grooming Or Maintenance?
Erythrina plants generally require little grooming and maintenance. But you may prune by removing the past year’s flower spikes yearly. This will help maintain the appropriate size and encourage flowering.
You may trim the plant and pinch it at the summer’s end to encourage denser growth.
Moreover, older plants may be thinned out to help rejuvenate growth.
How To Propagate Common Coral Tree?
The Common Coral Tree can be propagated by three main methods:
- Division
- Seeds
- Stem Cuttings
If you’re going to propagate via division, use a sharp knife to divide the roots while ensuring each section has a healthy bud.
After that, place each section in its individual container or pot with regular potting soil combined with compost.
For stem cuttings, it’s best to take it during the plant’s active growing season.
Use scissors or a sharp knife to remove a healthy shoot with a portion of the root.
Plant the stem cuttings in individual pots or containers and keep them near a window with exposure to full sunlight.
Remember that cuttings take root within 4 to 6 weeks and may take the first couple of years before it blooms.
For seed propagation, it’s best to sow seeds in January. And as they germinate and grow, move them into larger pots or containers.
Erythrina Pests And Diseases
Erythrina plants are generally insect or disease-free but may occasionally be a target of the following pests:
- Aphids
- Nematodes
- Thrips
- Twig bores
- Whiteflies
To remedy any infestation, spray them with a garden house to remove the insects.
Uses Of Coral Bush
Because of its stunning red pea-shaped flowers, Coral Bush makes an excellent ornamental flowering tree to add a burst of color to your landscape when in full bloom.
It also makes a lovely container plant, street tree, or shade tree for parks or homes.
Moreover, Erythrina plants also make lovely specimens in cottage and Mediterranean gardens.