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

The Dwarf Tibouchina (Tibouchina lepidota), often sold as the dwarf princess flower, 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 — flowers appear on and off throughout the warmer months. Because it actually prefers a somewhat shaded spot, 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), making it ideal for small beds, borders, and patio pots.
• Color for shady spots – thrives in part sun to partial shade, bringing color to areas that often have none.
• Long bloom season – flowers on and off through the warm months, drawing butterflies and pollinators.
• Evergreen & tropical – 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. A somewhat shaded spot, with protection from the harshest midday sun, suits it best.
• Water: Water regularly, but do not overwater. Keep the soil moist but never soggy.
• Soil: Adaptable to most soils; prefers dry, well-drained soil (slightly acidic is ideal).
• Cold Hardiness Zone: 9–11. This is a tender tropical — it thrives in zones 10–11, and in zone 9 it’s best grown 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 — wait until late spring (April) to cut out any branches that look dead.
• Feeding: Fertilize three times a year — spring, summer, and fall — with a good-quality granular fertilizer. You can supplement with bone meal and/or liquid fertilizer to promote heavier bloom.

Ways to Use Dwarf Tibouchina in the Landscape

• Pops of purple color in partly shaded beds and borders
• Patio pots, container gardens, and small spaces
• Tropical and butterfly gardens
• 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. 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 Carlos Plant Farm. Plants are less than 12 inches tall when we ship them. The photos in this listing depict mature plants of the correct species so you can see how they will look as they grow and bloom. Choose your preferred plant bundle size using the options above.

Due to different state laws, we reserve the right to charge extra fees in order to comply with those laws if necessary.

Terms of the Sale

Please read the following terms of the sale completely. The customer agrees to all of the following when purchasing from Carlo’s Plant Farm:

• All sales are final. All orders are insured against damage or loss.
• The customer assumes all risk of loss or damage once USPS takes possession. If the order is damaged in any way during shipping, the customer agrees to file an insurance claim. Carlo’s Plant Farm agrees to assist the customer in filling out the form.
• Once your order is shipped, we offer no cancellation refund at all.
• We reserve the right to delay shipping due to extreme heat or cold.
• If you are unhappy with your order for any reason, you agree to contact us as soon as possible. The customer agrees not to publish a negative review before contacting us. If you post a negative review before contacting us, we will ask you to take down the review and remind you of this terms of sale agreement.

In purchasing from Carlo’s Plant Farm, the customer acknowledges, understands, and agrees with all the above terms of the sale.