Black Poui (Jacaranda mimosifolia)

How much light does a Black Poui need?

Grow Jacaranda mimosifolia outdoors in full sun, meaning six or more hours of direct sunlight each day. This tree also tolerates part shade, though full sun is the light level it prefers. Full sun is the light requirement listed for this species when grown outdoors in the ground.

• Light: Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred)^1,2

Best soil for a Black Poui

When you plant Jacaranda mimosifolia outdoors, choose a planting site with soil that has good drainage. University extension sources describe this species thriving outdoors in sandy, well-drained soils in the ground. Good drainage is the soil condition that extension sources list for this particular species outdoors.

• Soil drainage: Well drained^1,2

Hardiness and temperature

Outdoors, Jacaranda mimosifolia is hardy in USDA zones 9b through 13b. Extension sources place this range from zone 9b up to zone 13b, covering 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b, 13a, and 13b. Outside of that listed hardiness range, this tree is not described as reliably hardy outdoors in the ground.

• Hardiness: Zones 9b–13b¹

Pruning a Black Poui

Prune Jacaranda mimosifolia with light shaping rather than heavy cuts. Keep branches less than half the diameter of the trunk, which keeps the tree intact and more durable. Light shaping is the type of pruning recommended for this species when grown outdoors in the ground.

• Pruning: Light shaping²

How to plant a Black Poui

Choose a planting site in USDA hardiness zones 9b to 13b for this tree. Give it room to grow, since mature trees spread 45-60 ft (13.72-18.29 m) wide. Mature trees also reach 25-50 ft (7.62-15.24 m) tall. If you garden outside that zone range, this tree is not a reliable pick for a permanent outdoor planting site. In Hawaii, the continental United States, and Puerto Rico, this species is classified as introduced.

• Hardiness: Zones 9b–13b¹

Winter care

Jacaranda mimosifolia survives winters outdoors only within USDA zones 9b to 13b. This tree is deciduous outdoors. Gardeners in colder zones outside that range do not have the winter conditions this tree needs to survive outdoors. Zone 9b marks the coldest zone where this tree is listed as hardy outdoors.

• Hardiness: Zones 9b–13b¹

How to propagate a Black Poui

Outdoors, you can propagate Jacaranda mimosifolia from seed, from stem cuttings, or by grafting. Extension sources describe softwood stem cuttings as one propagation method for this species, alongside grafting and growing new plants from seed. Stem cutting is one of the propagation methods specifically listed for this species by extension sources.

• Propagation: Seed, stem cuttings and grafting^1,2

Common problems

Jacaranda mimosifolia can be prone to scale insects and aphids outdoors. Other pests recorded on this species include spiraling whitefly, polyphagous shot hole borer, pink hibiscus mealybug, and jacaranda leafminer. Root rot can be a problem in poorly drained soil. Xylella fastidiosa is also recorded as a disease of this tree.

• Common pests: scale insects, aphids, spiraling whitefly, polyphagous shot hole borer, pink hibiscus mealybug and jacaranda leafminer^1,3
• Common diseases: root rot and xylella fastidiosa^2,3

Questions and answers

Is Jacaranda mimosifolia toxic to cats or dogs?

The ASPCA lists this tree as non-toxic to both cats and dogs. NC State Extension's Plant Toolbox also marks it as non-toxic for each of these pets.

What USDA hardiness zones suit Jacaranda mimosifolia outdoors?

This species grows outdoors across USDA hardiness zones 9b to 13b. That range runs from zone 9b up through zone 13b, covering nine zones in total.

What light does Jacaranda mimosifolia need outdoors?

Outdoors, this tree grows best with full sun, meaning at least six hours of direct light daily. It can also handle part shade, though full sun remains its preferred light level.