Trees & shrubsEasy CarePet Safe
Silk Cotton Tree
Bombax ceiba
Shimul is a tall deciduous tree with a buttressed, prickly trunk that bursts into large, fleshy red flowers on bare branches in late winter. The flowers feed many birds, and the pods release silky cotton used for stuffing.
Botanical FamilyMalvaceae
Native RegionTropical Asia
Growth RateFast
Mature Size20–30 m tall
Bloom PeriodJanuary to March
Common NamesShimul, Semal, Red silk cotton
Photo: VintageHygrometer · CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Essential Care Requirements
Light
Full sun
Watering
Low
Water young trees regularly; mature trees are drought tolerant.
Soil
Deep, well-drained alluvial soil; pH 6.0–8.0.
Temperature and humidity
2–45 °C · Moderate humidity
Feeding
Not usually needed.
Pruning and propagation
Propagate by seed, stem cuttings
Little pruning needed.
Not known to be toxic; the flower buds are cooked as a vegetable in some regions.
Top Cultivation Tips
Plant only in large open spaces.
Young trunks are covered in sharp prickles.
Hugely important for birds in late winter.
Large cuttings root easily.
