Geiger Tree
Cordia sebestena
Last reviewed: September 2026
Geiger Tree (Cordia sebestena) is a perennial tree native to FL. It blooms in March, April, May, June, July, and August. The flowers draw butterflies and bees.
Toxicity unknown
Geiger Tree (Cordia sebestena) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
180"–360" H × 120"–240" W
Bloom
Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug
Native to
FL
Pollinators
butterflies, bees
Native alternatives to Geiger Tree
Geiger Tree is not native to the United States. These natives fill a similar role in a planting, matched on bloom season, bloom color and mature size.
Before you buy
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Largeleaf geigertree is a small to medium-sized tree with broad, fuzzy leaves and clusters of bright orange tubular flowers that bloom for most of the year. This slow-growing tree develops an attractive rounded canopy and thrives in coastal conditions with minimal water needs. The showy orange blooms make it an attractive ornamental choice.
Growing Geiger Tree
Grow Geiger Tree in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 180 to 360 inches tall and spread 120 to 240 inches wide. Expect low maintenance to keep it looking intentional in a front yard.
In an HOA neighborhood
Geiger Tree is an HOA-friendly choice. Maintenance level: low. Tidiness: 4 out of 5.
Works well in: front yard, foundation, street edge, mid zone.
Wildlife value
The tubular orange flowers attract butterflies and provide nectar for bees throughout the extended blooming season. This tree serves as both a nectar source and host plant for various native pollinators.
Common questions
- When does Cordia sebestena bloom?
- Cordia sebestena typically flowers from March through August, with clusters of orange blooms appearing most heavily in the warmer months.
- What pollinators visit Cordia sebestena flowers?
- The bright orange flowers attract butterflies and bees, which visit for nectar throughout the bloom season.
- How much water does this tree need?
- Once established, Cordia sebestena tolerates low water conditions well and prefers soil that drains freely rather than staying wet.
- How much sun does Cordia sebestena require?
- This tree grows best in full sun but can adapt to part sun locations, producing fewer flowers in lower light.
- What climate does Cordia sebestena grow in?
- It grows well in warm, frost-sensitive coastal and subtropical climates where temperatures rarely drop near freezing.
- Is Geiger Tree HOA-friendly?
- Geiger Tree is generally an HOA-friendly choice in the right placement, with low maintenance.
These answers were drafted with an AI model from this plant's data. Verify care details with a local expert.
Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Geiger Tree? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.