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A few leaves or flowers may drop during transit. This is completely normal — plants settle and bounce back within a few days of basic care.

Red Silk Cotton

Save 17%

₹359

₹359 - ₹359

₹359

₹299

₹299 - ₹299

₹299

(MRP Inclusive of all taxes)

Quantity

Why it’s special?

Spectacular spring red flowers
Fast-growing large shade tree
Produces silky kapok cotton
Native and wildlife-friendly
Used in food and Ayurveda

Flat ₹79 delivery on every order

🌎 Country of origin: India

Bombax ceiba (Red Silk Cotton or Semal) is a grand, fast-growing deciduous tree native to India and a striking sight in spring when its bare branches blaze with large, cup-shaped scarlet flowers. Reaching 20-40 m, the tall straight trunk often bears conical thorns when young. After flowering it produces pods filled with soft silky cotton (kapok) used for stuffing. The blossoms are rich in nectar, drawing birds, bees and squirrels, and are also used in regional cuisine and traditional medicine. A classic avenue, park and temple tree, Semal offers shade, spectacular seasonal colour and ecological value across the Indian plains.

Specifications

Family	Malvaceae (Bombacaceae)
Native region	Indian subcontinent and tropical Asia
Mature height	20-40 m
Mature spread	8-15 m
Growth rate	Fast
Foliage	Deciduous, palmately compound leaves
Flower colour	Bright scarlet red
Flower season	Late winter to spring (Feb-April)
Climate zone	Tropical and subtropical

Care guide

Sunlight	Full sun.
Watering	Water young trees regularly; mature trees are drought-tolerant.
Soil / mix	Deep, well-drained loamy or alluvial soil.
Temperature	Thrives 20-45°C; tolerates heat well.
Humidity	Adapts to dry and humid climates.
Fertilizer	Apply compost or manure yearly; little feeding needed once established.
Pruning	Minimal; remove dead or damaged branches only.
Repotting	Plant directly in ground; not suited to long-term pots.
Propagation	By seeds and cuttings.
Pests & problems	Largely pest-resistant; occasional borers.
Toxicity / safety	Non-toxic; parts used in food and medicine.
Difficulty	Easy once established.

Uses

Grown as an avenue, park and shade tree; yields kapok cotton for stuffing, while flowers, calyx and roots are used in regional cuisine and Ayurvedic medicine.

Growing tips

Give it full sun and deep, well-drained soil with ample space, as it grows large and fast; water young saplings regularly through the first summers until the deep roots establish.

Red Silk Cotton (Bombax ceiba) Care

Red Silk Cotton is a hardy, deciduous tree that loves full sun and well-draining soil, making it well suited to most Indian climates. Water your young Bombax ceiba regularly to keep the soil lightly moist while it establishes, then reduce watering as the tree matures and becomes drought-tolerant. Feed with a balanced fertiliser at the start of the growing season, and prune lightly in the dormant period to shape the canopy.

Red Silk Cotton Benefits & Uses

Bombax ceiba is prized for its striking red flowers that bloom on bare branches before the leaves appear, attracting birds and pollinators to your garden. The tree produces silky cotton-like fibre from its seed pods, traditionally used for stuffing pillows and cushions, and various parts are valued in Ayurvedic preparations. As a fast-growing native, it also provides generous shade and works well as a specimen or avenue tree in larger spaces.

Where to place Red Silk Cotton

Choose an open, sunny spot with plenty of room, as Red Silk Cotton grows into a tall tree with a wide spreading canopy over time. It performs best in the ground rather than confined to a pot long-term, so plan for a permanent position away from buildings and overhead lines. The 10-inch grow bag lets you nurture the sapling until it is strong enough to transplant into its final location.

Why buy Red Silk Cotton online in India

Buying Bombax ceiba online with GardenGo means your sapling is sourced locally and delivered fast, often within about two hours in serviced areas, so it arrives alive and healthy rather than stressed from days in transit. Each plant comes in a sturdy 10-inch grow bag, ready to plant out or pot on. You can also add pots, soil and tools to the same order and get everything for your garden delivered together.

Frequently asked questions

How often should I water a young Semal?

Water young trees regularly during the first two or three years, especially in summer. Mature trees are drought-tolerant and need little watering.

How much sunlight does it need?

It needs full sun to grow well and flower; it is not suited to shaded sites.

Is Semal safe around pets and people?

Yes, it is non-toxic; its flowers, calyx and roots are even used in regional cuisine and traditional medicine.

Can I grow it in a pot?

Only as a young sapling temporarily. It becomes a very large tree and must be planted in open ground with space.

How do I propagate it?

Propagate from seeds, which germinate readily, or from large branch cuttings planted in the ground.

When does it flower?

It blooms in late winter to spring, roughly February to April, on bare leafless branches.

What is the cotton from the pods used for?

The soft silky fibre, called kapok, is used for stuffing pillows, mattresses, cushions and life jackets.

How big does it get?

It is a large tree reaching 20-40 m tall with a wide spreading crown, so it needs a big, open location.

Does it have thorns?

Young trunks and branches often bear stout conical thorns, which usually disappear as the tree matures.

What fertilizer does it need?

Apply compost or well-rotted manure once a year when young; established trees need little or no feeding.

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