Also known as Glory Bush · 10 saves
Tibouchina
Tibouchina, the genus most gardeners know as glory bush. We track 4 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.
The 3 most-saved Tibouchina varieties
Browse all 4 Tibouchina varieties →
2 species of Tibouchina
Each one is a parent of the varieties above.
Track your Tibouchina in Sow
Save the Tibouchina you grow and get care reminders timed to your zone.
How to grow Tibouchina
Whats common across all Tibouchina varieties in our catalog — drawn from the care records of the 4 most-grown of them.
The Tibouchina year
- PruneFebruary and March100% of varieties
Prune heavily in late winter/early spring to maintain shape and encourage dense growth.
- FertilizeApril–August75% of varieties
Use a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-4 weeks during active growth.
- Winter PrepSeptember and October75% of varieties
Move container indoors to a bright, cool location before the first hard frost.
Do
- Water consistently to keep soil moist 🌱
- Prune after flowering to promote bushy growth
- Feed with a balanced fertilizer monthly during active growth
- Keep the soil moist 💧
- Feed through the growing season 🌿
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Do not skip pruning, as it encourages healthy blooms
- Avoid planting in poorly drained soils
- Let it dry out ❌
What goes wrong with Tibouchina
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Scale insects | Hard bumps on stems and leaves | Use horticultural oil or insecticidal soap |
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Whitefly | Clouds of small white insects rising from the leaf undersides when the plant is disturbed | Use yellow sticky traps and insecticidal soap; worst on plants overwintered under glass |
| Powdery mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide |
| Root rot | Wilting and yellowing leaves | Ensure well-draining soil and reduce watering |
| Chlorosis | Leaves yellow between green veins, worst on new growth, in alkaline soil or hard water | Grow in acidic soil, use rainwater where the tap water is hard, and apply a chelated iron feed |
Making more Tibouchina
Cuttings
- Select healthy semi-woody stems in late summer
- Cut 4-6 inch sections and remove lower leaves
- Dip cut end in rooting hormone
- Plant in moist, well-draining soil
- Keep soil humid and place in bright, indirect light
- Roots develop in about 6 weeks
Seeds
- Tuck seeds into moist soil in early spring
- Maintain soil temperature around 70°F (21°C)
- Keep soil consistently moist
- Germination occurs in 2-4 weeks
Tibouchina questions
How many types of Tibouchina are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 4 distinct Tibouchina varieties. The most popular — ranked by 10 real gardeners — are shown first above.
What zones does Tibouchina grow in?
Across its varieties, Tibouchina covers USDA Zones 9–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Tibouchina bloom?
Most Tibouchina varieties bloom in late summer, summer to fall. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Tibouchina 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.