The Dwarf Tibouchina (Tibouchina lepidota) is often sold as the dwarf princess flower. It is a compact tropical shrub that rewards you with incredibly gorgeous, velvety royal-purple blossoms. Purple-flowering plants are prized in South Florida, and this little beauty delivers, because flowers appear on and off throughout the warmer months. Best of all, it actually prefers a somewhat shaded spot. As a result, the Dwarf Tibouchina is perfect for adding a pop of vivid color to partly shaded beds and borders where little else will bloom.

Why Grow a Dwarf Tibouchina?

Show-stopping purple flowers – vivid, velvety royal-purple blooms that look stunning against yellows, oranges, and white in the garden.
Compact, container-friendly size – stays small (about 2.5–3 feet), so it is ideal for small beds, borders, and patio pots.
Color for shady spots – thrives in part sun to partial shade, especially in areas that often have none.
Long bloom season – flowers on and off through the warm months, while drawing butterflies and pollinators.
Evergreen & tropical – also lush green foliage year-round in frost-free climates for a true tropical look.

Love bold, tropical color? Browse more options in our Flowering Plants and Outdoor Plants collections.

Plant Specifications at a Glance

Botanical name: Tibouchina lepidota (dwarf princess flower; the genus is now also classified as Pleroma)
Plant type: Compact, evergreen tropical flowering shrub
Plant family: Melastomataceae
Mature size: a moderate grower to about 2.5–3 feet tall and wide
Bloom season: On and off during the warmer months
Flowers: Velvety, royal-purple blossoms
Wildlife: Attracts butterflies and pollinators
Cold Hardiness Zones: 9–11 (tender; happiest in zones 10–11)

Dwarf Tibouchina Care & Growing Guide

The Dwarf Tibouchina is easy to please with a little attention. Follow these simple guidelines:

Sunlight: Part sun to partial shade. Specifically, a somewhat shaded spot, with protection from the harshest midday sun, suits it best.
Water: Water regularly, but do not overwater. In other words, keep the soil moist but never soggy.
Soil: Adaptable to most soils, though it prefers dry, well-drained soil (slightly acidic is ideal).
Cold Hardiness Zone: 9–11. This is a tender tropical, so it thrives in zones 10–11. In zone 9, grow it in a container, so it can be protected from frost or moved indoors over winter.
Pruning: These evergreen shrubs only need an occasional shaping trim. They may thin or defoliate in cold weather, so wait until late spring (April) to cut out any branches that look dead.
Feeding: Fertilize three times a year, in spring, summer, and fall, with a good-quality granular fertilizer. In addition, you can supplement with bone meal or liquid fertilizer to promote heavier bloom.

Ways to Use Dwarf Tibouchina in the Landscape

This compact bloomer shines wherever you need shade-friendly color. Popular uses for the Dwarf Tibouchina include:

Pops of purple color in partly shaded beds and borders
Also patio pots, container gardens, and small spaces
Tropical and butterfly gardens
Similarly, accent plantings near outdoor living areas where the blooms can be enjoyed up close
Color contrast alongside yellow, orange, and white-flowered plants

It looks fantastic planted near other vivid bloomers. For example, gardeners often pair it with the Mexican Petunia (Purple Showers) for a purple theme, or with the Madagascar Periwinkle for bright contrast.

What You’ll Receive

These are live Dwarf Tibouchina starter plants, grown and shipped by Carlo’s Plant Farm. Each plant is less than 12 inches tall when we ship it. The listing photos show mature plants of the same species. That way, you can see how yours will look as they grow and bloom. Finally, choose your preferred bundle size using the options above.

Also, due to different state laws, we reserve the right to charge extra fees where necessary to comply.

Ordering, Shipping & Returns

Every order ships free and is insured against loss or damage in transit. For full details on how we pack and send your plants, processing and delivery times, and what to do in the rare case of a problem, please review our Shipping Policy and Terms & Conditions before purchasing. By placing an order, you agree to those terms.

Dwarf Tibouchina FAQ

Growing & Care Questions

What is a Dwarf Tibouchina?

It is a compact tropical shrub, Tibouchina lepidota, often sold as the dwarf princess flower. It is loved for its velvety, royal-purple blooms, and it stays small enough for beds, borders, and patio pots.

How big does Dwarf Tibouchina get?

It is a moderate grower that stays compact, usually about 2.5 to 3 feet tall and wide. As a result, it fits small spaces and containers beautifully.

Does Dwarf Tibouchina need sun or shade?

Interestingly, it prefers part sun to partial shade. In fact, a somewhat shaded spot with protection from the harshest midday sun suits it best, so it brings color where little else blooms.

How far apart should I plant Dwarf Tibouchina?

Because it stays compact, space plants about 2 to 3 feet apart. That spacing gives each shrub room to round out without crowding.

How often should I water and feed it?

Water regularly so the soil stays moist but never soggy. For feeding, fertilize three times a year, in spring, summer, and fall. In addition, a little bone meal or liquid fertilizer encourages heavier bloom.

Hardiness, Buying & Shipping Questions

When does Dwarf Tibouchina bloom?

It flowers on and off through the warmer months. Therefore, you get repeat flushes of vivid purple, along with visits from butterflies and other pollinators.

What growing zones is Dwarf Tibouchina suited for?

It is hardy in USDA Cold Hardiness Zones 9 to 11, though it is happiest in zones 10 to 11. In zone 9, grow it in a container, so you can protect it from frost or move it indoors over winter.

How and when should I prune Dwarf Tibouchina?

These evergreen shrubs only need an occasional shaping trim. They may thin or drop leaves in cold weather. Therefore, wait until late spring, around April, before cutting out any branches that look dead.

Is Dwarf Tibouchina evergreen?

Yes. In frost-free climates it keeps lush green foliage year-round, so it holds a true tropical look even between bloom flushes.

What size plants will I receive?

You will receive live Dwarf Tibouchina starter plants. Each one is under 12 inches tall at shipping, grown and shipped by Carlo’s Plant Farm. The listing photos show mature plants of the same species. So you can see how yours will look as they grow and bloom. Finally, choose your bundle size using the options above.

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Dwarf Tibouchina (Tibouchina lepidota) with royal-purple princess flower blooms

Dwarf Tibouchina purple princess flower compact shrub in a garden

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Tibouchina lepidota velvety purple flowers close-up

Dwarf Tibouchina purple-flowering plant for part shade

Carlos Plant Farm

Dwarf Tibouchina Plant – Tibouchina lepidota (Dwarf Princess Flower, Live Starter Plant)

Price range: $33.79 through $178.32

Bring vivid tropical color to shady spots with a live Dwarf Tibouchina (Tibouchina lepidota), also known as the dwarf princess flower. This compact evergreen shrub produces velvety royal-purple blooms on and off through the warm months and attracts butterflies. Staying around 2.5–3 feet tall, it’s perfect for partly shaded beds, borders, and patio pots. Shipped as a healthy live starter plant (under 12 inches tall) by Carlos Plant Farm. A tender tropical, cold hardy in USDA zones 9–11 (happiest in 10–11).

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