Cordia Tree (Cordia subcordata) - How to Grow & Care Guide

Plant Snapshot

Common Name: Cordia Tree
Latin Name: Cordia subcordata
Alternate Names: kou, beach cordia, sea trumpet
Hardiness Zones: USDA 10–12. Tender tropical, may suffer dieback below zone 10.
Typical Height: 10–40 ft (3–12 m)
Typical Spread: 10–30 ft (3–9 m)
Bloom Period: Flowers in warm months and often intermittently year round in frost free climates
Soil Preferences: Sandy to loamy and well drained. Tolerates poor and saline coastal soils. Avoid permanently waterlogged clay where roots sit in water.
Light Preferences: Full sun for best flowering. Tolerates light shade but may become leggy and flower less.
Toxicity: No well documented severe toxicity records found in mainstream references. Verify before allowing ingestion by people or pets.
Propagation: Propagate by seed and by semi hardwood cuttings. Air layering is used where faster establishment is desired.

Key Facts

Tropical coastal tree often used in seaside plantings and erosion control
Tolerates salt spray and sandy soils
Produces attractive orange to reddish tubular flowers
Forms small fleshy fruits that may be used locally but are not widely commercial
Prefers well drained soil and full sun for best flowering
Can be propagated by seed and vegetative cuttings
Generally considered tender to frost and suited to warm climates

Cordia Tree (Cordia subcordata) is a tropical coastal tree known for salt tolerance and bright tubular flowers. It is commonly used in seaside plantings and erosion control where frost is not a risk and sandy, well drained soils are available.

Identification

Small to medium sized tree typically reaching about 10 to 40 feet tall with a broad crown 10 to 30 feet wide in open coastal sites. Leaves and showy orange to reddish tubular flowers are distinctive in bloom. Size and form vary with exposure and site fertility.

Best uses and where to grow

Used as a seaside ornamental, shade tree and for stabilization of sandy coastal soils because it tolerates salt spray and poor sandy substrates. Suited to warm, frost free coastal gardens within USDA zones 10 to 12 where maritime conditions moderate cold.

Planting and spacing

Choose a sunny open site for best flowering and allow room for a mature crown. Plant at the same depth as the root ball in well drained soil. Space trees at least the expected mature spread apart to avoid crowding and to preserve airflow and light.

Soil and light

Performs best in sandy to loamy, well drained soils and tolerates saline coastal soils. Avoid permanently waterlogged clay that can cause root decline. Full sun produces the most flowers while light shade reduces flowering and can lead to legginess.

Watering and drainage

Establish young trees with regular watering until roots are set then reduce frequency. Poor drainage or prolonged wet feet leads to root problems and decline. In sandy coastal sites supplementary irrigation may be needed during dry spells to support growth and flowering.

After flowering care and pruning

Remove dead wood and thin crowded branches to maintain form and airflow. Light structural pruning shapes the tree and controls size; avoid heavy late pruning that stresses a flowering canopy. Protect stems and new growth in cooler pockets where frost can cause dieback.

Propagation

Propagate by seed and by semi hardwood cuttings; air layering is used where faster establishment is desired. Specific germination and rooting techniques vary regionally so consult local propagation references for timing and pretreatments that improve success.

Containers and landscape control

Not ideal as a long term container specimen because of eventual tree size but young plants grow in very large containers temporarily. In landscape settings control spread and naturalizing habit by pruning and by planting at distances that reflect the 10 to 30 foot mature spread.

Frequently asked questions

How fast does Cordia Tree grow?: Growth is moderate to fast in favorable warm coastal conditions and the tree commonly reaches 10 to 40 feet over several years depending on site and care.
Is Cordia Tree salt tolerant?: Yes. The species tolerates salt spray and sandy coastal soils which makes it useful for seaside plantings and erosion control.
What hardiness zones suit Cordia Tree?: Typically suited to USDA zones 10 to 12 where it remains largely frost free and avoids winter dieback.
Can I grow Cordia Tree in clay soils?: Avoid heavy waterlogged clay. The tree prefers well drained sandy to loamy soils and will decline where roots sit in standing water.
Is Cordia Tree safe for pets and children?: Safety records are not well documented and can vary. Verify with local poison control or authoritative sources before permitting ingestion by people or pets.