What hardiness zones is Tibouchina urvilleana suitable for?

Tibouchina urvilleana is the princess flower (glory bush), a tropical evergreen shrub growing 60-180 inches (150-450 cm) tall and 60-120 inches (150-300 cm) wide. Large 5-petaled velvety violet-purple flowers 3-4 inches (8-10 cm) across with prominent curving purple stamens — the saturated purple color is rare among flowering shrubs and the velvet petal texture catches light differently from typical glossy or papery flowers. Blooms from late spring through fall in subtropics and year-round in tropics. Soft fuzzy ovate leaves 4-6 inches (10-15 cm) with prominent parallel veining (a Melastomataceae family trait — the parallel-veined leaves with cross-connecting veinlets are diagnostic of the family). Leaves are velvety to the touch and turn red-purple in cool weather. Native to Brazil. Frost-tender: foliage damage at 32°F (0°C); roots may resprout from zone 9. Acidic soil supports the most vigorous growth. Heavy water demand — wilts quickly in heat without consistent watering. Full sun to partial shade. Non-toxic. Hummingbird-visited and butterfly-visited. Containers of 7-10 gallons (26-40 liters). Growth rate is fast. Zones 9-11.

Native Range

Native to southeastern Brazil — coastal Atlantic Forest regions.

Suggested Uses

Grown as a specimen tropical shrub in zones 9-11, or in containers of 7-10 gallons (26-40 liters) for overwintering indoors in cold zones. Full sun to partial shade. The saturated purple color is uncommon among flowering shrubs. Non-toxic. Hummingbird-visited.

How to Identify

Identified by large 5-petaled velvety violet-purple flowers 3-4 inches (8-10 cm) with curving purple stamens, on a shrub with soft fuzzy ovate leaves showing prominent parallel veining. The parallel-veined leaves with cross-connecting veinlets are a Melastomataceae family signature. The saturated purple flower color and velvet petal texture confirm the species.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height5' - 15'

Width/Spread5' - 10'

Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

red

Fall Foliage Colors

red

purple

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~28 weeks

Spring Summer Fall

Late spring through fall in subtropics; year-round in tropics. Velvety violet-purple flowers in flushes of 3-4 weeks. Continuous bloom in suitable conditions. Hummingbird and butterfly visited.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Saturated violet-purple, velvety petals, with curving purple stamens

Foliage Description

Medium green with velvety texture and prominent parallel veining; red-purple in cool weather

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun Partial Shade

Requires 5-10 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

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.0 - 6.5(Acidic)

357912

Soil Types

loam

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

high

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

1-2 years

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Full sun to partial shade. Acidic soil. Heavy water demand — wilts quickly without consistent watering. Frost-tender at 32°F (0°C). Non-toxic. Hummingbird-visited. Zones 9-11.

Pruning

Pruning for shape happens in early spring. Cut back by one-third. Flowers on new growth — pruning supports more bloom flushes. Leggy growth is reduced through annual cutback.

Maintenance Level

moderate

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 7 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic