Also known as Coral Tree · 24 gardener saves
Erythrina: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Erythrina, the genus most gardeners know as coral tree. We track 5 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 5 most-saved Erythrina varieties
Of 5 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedCoral Tree Bidwill's Coral Tree
Erythrina bidwillii
#2 most savedBidwill's Coral Tree
Erythrina x bidwillii
#3 most savedCockspur Coral Tree
Erythrina crista-galli
Copper Hummingbird Perch
Erythrina humei 'Copper Hummingbird Perch'
Coralbean
Erythrina herbacea
How to grow Erythrina
What the Erythrina varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 5 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Erythrina year
- PruneFebruary100% of varieties
Prune lightly after the main bloom period to maintain shape
- FertilizeMarch and April100% of varieties
Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer as new growth begins
- MulchOctober and November60% of varieties
Apply a thick layer of mulch over the root zone for winter protection
- Winter PrepNovember40% of varieties
Mulch heavily around the base to protect roots over winter.
Do
- Mulch to conserve moisture
- Water deeply during dry periods 🌱
- Prune after flowering to shape the plant
- Water regularly during dry periods 🌱
- Prune to encourage bushy growth
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Don’t prune in late fall or winter
- Overwater to avoid root rot ❌
- Neglect pruning
What goes wrong with Erythrina
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Spray with organic insecticidal soap |
| Scale insects | Bumps on stems, yellowing leaves | Apply horticultural oil |
| Root rot | Wilting and yellowing leaves | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
Making more Erythrina
Seed
- Tuck seeds in moist soil in early spring
- Keep soil consistently moist for 6 weeks
- Provide full sun for germination
Cuttings
- Take semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer
- Dip in rooting hormone
- Plant in well-draining soil
- Keep moist for 4-6 weeks
Erythrina questions
How many types of Erythrina are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 5 distinct Erythrina varieties. The most popular — ranked by 24 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Erythrina grow in?
Across its varieties, Erythrina covers USDA Zones 7–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Erythrina bloom?
Most Erythrina varieties bloom in early summer, late spring, summer to fall. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Erythrina should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Erythrina shows up in
By hardiness zone
Design with Erythrina in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
