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Combretum rotundifolium
Monkey's Brush Plant
Amazon Basin, northern South America
Growing Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones
10 - 11These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
What's my zone? →Frost Tolerancetender
Key Features
Maintenancemoderate
Overview
Combretum rotundifolium is a tropical climbing or sprawling shrub growing 120-360 inches (3-9 m) long when supported and 60-120 inches (150-300 cm) wide as a free-standing shrub. The plant is grown for its inflorescences — dense terminal brush-like clusters 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) long composed of dozens of small flowers with prominent stamens. Flowers open in waves with stamens transitioning from yellow at the petal stage to bright red-orange as they mature, producing a bicolored brush effect. Leaves are medium green, broadly oval to round, 3-5 inches (7-12 cm) long, opposite, with prominent veins. Stems are scrambling, lacking thorns or aerial roots, and require tying to supports. Native to the Amazon Basin and northern South America, where the species grows in seasonally flooded forest along river margins. Frost-tender below 40°F (4°C); damaged by light frost. Hardy only in zones 10-11 outdoors; grown indoors or in greenhouses in cooler zones. The species is in the Combretaceae family, with seeds and bark containing terpenes and tannins; ingestion causes gastrointestinal upset in humans and animals, though severe poisoning is uncommon. Hummingbird-attracting flowers. Fast growth — reaches full size in 2-3 years. Adapts to clay, loam, and sandy soils with consistent moisture.
Native Range
C. rotundifolium is native to the Amazon Basin and northern South America, including Brazil, Colombia, Venezuela, Peru, and Bolivia, where the species grows in seasonally flooded gallery forests, várzea floodplains, and along river margins at low elevations.Suggested Uses
Grown as a tropical climbing or sprawling shrub on trellises, fences, and pergolas in zones 10-11 in full sun. Used as a specimen and hummingbird-attracting plant in tropical gardens, conservatory plantings, and large-scale greenhouse displays in cooler zones. Container culture in pots of 10+ gallons (40+ liters) with consistent moisture.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height10' - 30'
Width/Spread5' - 10'
Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years
Bloom Information
Continuous bloom from late winter through fall (February-November) in zones 10-11, with peak in dry season transitions. Each inflorescence persists 3-4 weeks. In greenhouse and indoor culture in cooler zones, bloom is heaviest in spring and summer.Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Bicolored yellow-to-red-orange brush-like clustersFoliage Description
Medium green, broadly oval, prominently veinedGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 4-10 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
The species performs in full sun to part shade in tropical climates; full sun produces denser inflorescences. Tolerates a wide soil pH range (5.5-7.5) and most soils, including periodically saturated soils that match its native floodplain habitat. Watering 2-3 times weekly during the growing season sustains continuous bloom; foliage yellows under prolonged drought. Cold damage occurs below 40°F (4°C); plants are killed by hard frost. Mealybugs and scale infest plants in dry indoor or greenhouse conditions. The species is not commonly affected by deer or pest pressure outdoors in tropical climates.Pruning
Light pruning of spent inflorescences and shaping cuts can be made year-round without significantly reducing bloom. Severe pruning to 24-36 inches (60-90 cm) is performed in late winter to control sprawl; vigorous regrowth produces new flowering shoots within 8-12 weeks. Stems lack thorns and the sap is not strongly irritating, making routine handling tolerated.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
winterearly spring
Maintenance Level
moderateContainer Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 10 gallons