Ideal conditions for optimal growth of Calliandra californica are full sunlight, dry heat and cool winters (1). It should be watered about once or twice a month for the cold season and weekly for dry summers. Summer watering aids growth and flowering. The Baja fairy duster doesn’t require excessive pruning but does benefit from pruning in the fall and spring time, if a more dense or bushy appearance is desired. The Baja fairy duster should only be cut back if frozen in winter. When pruning this specimen, use selective pruning cuts rather than shearing to preserve its natural form and increase its lifespan.
C. californica can get frost bitten but shows resistance to most diseases and pests (2). It tolerates temperatures down to 25 degrees Fahrenheit. The Baja fairy duster has a variable season. If given sufficient water, and kept from freezing, flowering starts in spring, slows down in the summer, and continues through fall into the next spring. If frozen during the winter, C. californica starts blooming in late spring, and continues through fall.
Calliandra californica is almost identical to Calliandra peninsularis, and there are many hybrids available.
