In the landscape
Flowering tree · Shade tree · Street tree · Slope · Woodland · Drought tolerant
Data sources
Gumbo Limbo
Bursera simaruba · Tree
Gumbo Limbo is a fast-growing tree, hardy in USDA zones 10-12, that matures to about 25–40 ft × 25–30 ft. It does best in full sun with low water needs in well-drained and occasionally-dry soil. Expect green and white blooms in spring and winter. It attracts bees, butterflies and pollinators and stands up well to drought and poor soil.
- USDA zones
- 10-12
- Sun
- Full sun
- Water
- Low
- Mature size
- 25–40 ft × 25–30 ft
- Spacing
- 24–60 ft
- Growth rate
- Fast
- Maintenance
- Low
- Soil
- Well-drained, Occasionally-dry
- Bloom color
- Green, White
- Bloom season
- Spring, Winter
- Attracts
- Bees, Butterflies, Pollinators
- Tough against
- Drought, Poor soil
- Native to
- Southern Florida, West Indies, Central America
Will it survive your winters?
We score Gumbo Limbo’s freeze-trouble range against the real coldest nights your area has recorded.
Powered by ~35 years of daily lows from the nearest NOAA weather station. A risk read, not a guarantee — a sheltered spot or mature plant beats the odds.
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