Native to equatorial Africa, the African tulip tree (Spathodea campanulata) is a popular ornamental shade tree, prized for its orange-red tulip-shaped blossoms. Commonly known as flame-of-the-forest, Indian cedar, scarlet bell tree, fountain tree, flame tree or Santo Dominga mahogany, the disease-resistant African tulip tree is ever-blooming, with shiny, dark green pinnate leaves. Easily grown from seed, these tropical trees grow best in warm and moist conditions. African tulip trees grow well outdoors in Sunset’s Climate Zones 21 through 24. In cooler areas, African tulip trees are best grown in containers that can be moved indoors when the temperature drops.
