Moderate Tropical Safe for pets

Princess Flower

Tibouchina urvilleana

A spectacular tropical shrub renowned for its striking royal purple, velvety flowers and fuzzy green leaves.

The essentials at a glance

Watering

Every 3 days
Light

Full sun
Humidity

50–70 %
Temperature

10–28 °C

How to care for your Princess Flower

Everything you need to keep your Princess Flower healthy: watering, light, humidity, feeding, repotting and pruning.

Tibouchina urvilleana, aptly named Princess Flower, is an enchanting tropical shrub cherished for its large, iridescent royal purple flowers that glow against its velvety, dark green foliage. The prominent stamens add to its regal appearance. It thrives in full sun to partial shade and consistently moist soil, making it a showstopper in warm gardens or as a large container plant. While it can be sensitive to cold, its breathtaking autumn blooms make the effort of overwintering worthwhile for many gardeners.

Watering your Princess Flower

Every 3 days

Keep soil consistently moist, especially during hot periods; avoid waterlogging.

How to know it needs water

Top inch of soil feels dry
Leaves show slight drooping

How much light a Princess Flower needs

Full sun

Full sun to partial shade.

Direct sun tolerated: 4 to 8 h a day
Orientations that suit it: South, South-east, South-west, East, West

Humidity and misting

50–70 %

Moderate to high (50-70%). Benefits from occasional misting in dry indoor environments.

Feeding and fertiliser

Every 30 days

Fertilize monthly during growing season; reduce in winter.

Recommended feed: Balanced slow-release or liquid fertilizer. · 5-10-5

Repotting your Princess Flower

Every 12 months

Repot into a slightly larger pot with a rich, well-draining potting mix.

When: Spring
Potting mix: All-purpose potting mix
Mix in: perlite, coco fibre

The tell-tale signs

Roots circling the pot
Slowed growth

Pruning your Princess Flower

After flowering, to maintain shape and encourage new blooms. Prune back leggy stems; deadhead spent flowers to prolong blooming.

Through the year

Watering is not set once and for all: it follows the light and the growth. Allow 5 days between waterings in the depth of winter, against 2 in the growing season.

Active growth · Days between waterings

Good to know

Native to Brazil.
Its velvety leaves add to its ornamental appeal, especially when viewed up close.

Frequently asked questions about the Princess Flower

How do you care for a Princess Flower?

Water it every 3 days. Give it full sun. Ideal humidity: 50–70 %. Ideal temperature: 10–28 °C. Keep soil consistently moist, especially during hot periods; avoid waterlogging.

How often should you water a Princess Flower?

Every 3 days Keep soil consistently moist, especially during hot periods; avoid waterlogging. How to know it needs water : Top inch of soil feels dry ; Leaves show slight drooping.

How much light does a Princess Flower need?

Full sun Full sun to partial shade. 4 to 8 h a day

Is the Princess Flower toxic to cats and dogs?

No, the Princess Flower is not listed as toxic to cats and dogs. That is still no reason to let your pets chew on it.

Why are my Princess Flower leaves turning yellow?

Yellowing most often comes from too much water: the mix stays wet and the roots suffocate. Check that the pot drains, empty the saucer, and let the mix dry before watering again. Too little light or a cold draught cause the same symptom.

When should you repot a Princess Flower?

Repot every 12 months, ideally in spring. Repot into a slightly larger pot with a rich, well-draining potting mix.