Pavonia Multiflora
Pavonia multiflora A.St.-Hil.
Pavonia multiflora, the Brazilian Candles plant, is a highly unusual and captivating evergreen shrub from Brazil, celebrated for its extraordinary flowers: satiny deep-purple tubular petals emerging from vivid dark-pink bracts, topped with a delicate spray of red-filament stamens tipped with tiny spherical blue anthers. A true botanical anomaly within its family, it symbolizes mystery, festivity, creativity, and the exuberant spirit of Brazil.
Malvaceae (Mallow family), tribe Hibisceae
Late spring to early fall (May to October) in temperate cultivation; nearly year-round in tropical climates and ideal indoor conditions; extremely free-flowering
Symbolism & Meanings
Key Meanings
Perfect For
Color Meanings
Similar flowers: bluecurlss and powder puff flowers also share similar meanings.
Cultural Significance
Pavonia multiflora is one of the most botanically distinctive houseplants in cultivation. Its flowers are genuinely anomalous within the mallow family, looking nothing like the open, wide-petaled hibiscus flowers typical of its relatives. The extraordinary combination of crimson bracts, deep-purple rolled petals, red-filament stamens, and tiny blue spherical anthers creates a flower that is more jewel or living candle than conventional bloom. This quality has earned it the perfect common name, Brazilian Candles, the upright rows of flowers resembling the candelabra of a floral chandelier. Native to the lush tropical forests of Brazil, it carries all the exuberant, festive energy associated with that country's celebrated natural abundance and creative vitality. The fact that the plant continuously covers itself in intricate flowers that look perpetually not-yet-fully-opened, as if always on the verge of revealing something more, gives it a quality of joyful, sustained anticipation that aligns with its symbolism of creativity and festivity. It is sometimes called "Many Flowers," a name that reflects both its botanical nature and its generous spirit as a plant.Shop Our Floral Collection
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Physical Characteristics
Natural Habitat
Growing Guide
Sunlight
Filtered light to part shade; prefers bright indirect light; tolerates a range from bright shade to full sun outdoors; indoors, place in a south, east, or west-facing window; lower light reduces flowering
Water
Consistent moisture; water regularly but allow the top inch to dry between waterings; avoid waterlogging; tolerates a range from slightly dry to fairly moist but performs best with even moisture
Soil
Moist, Well-drained, Slightly acidic, Fertile average to rich potting soil with added perlite for drainage
Expert Growing Tips
Minimum temperature: 10 degrees C (50 degrees F); protect from any frost; bring indoors before the first frost
Provide high humidity; mist leaves regularly or place on a pebble tray with water; the plant exudes a liquid from its stems and leaves that dries to attractive sparkling crystals in bright light
Prune periodically to maintain a compact, bushy habit; responds well to hard cutbacks and will re-sprout and resume flowering within a few months
Feed monthly with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the growing season; reduce to quarterly in winter
Propagate easily from semi-soft stem cuttings; can also be grown from seed
Watch for the occasional mealybug, spider mite, or scale; if heavily infested, cut back hard to 2.5 cm (1 inch) from soil, clear the top soil layer, repot, and spray with appropriate treatment
The plant exudes a sticky, crystalline residue from its stems and leaves which is harmless and catches the light beautifully; this is a natural characteristic, not a sign of disease
Genus named after Spanish botanist Jose Antonio Pavon, famous for his 19th-century botanical explorations in South America; species name multiflora means "many-flowered"
Uses & Benefits
Ornamental Uses
- Exceptionally distinctive specimen houseplant for bright indoor spaces
- Patio and container plant moved outdoors in warm months
- Tropical garden specimen or border shrub in frost-free climates
- Long-season flowering accent plant for mixed tropical borders
- Collector's plant prized for its botanical anomaly within the mallow family
Traditional Uses
- No significant documented medicinal uses specific to Pavonia multiflora
- Related Pavonia species have documented traditional uses in South American folk medicine
- The plant holds the RHS Award of Garden Merit, reflecting its outstanding ornamental value
Disclaimer: Information provided is for educational purposes only. Consult healthcare professionals before using any plant medicinally.
Further Reading
Frequently Asked Questions about the Pavonia Multiflora
Why is Pavonia multiflora called Brazilian Candles?
Pavonia multiflora gets its name from the way its upright flowers are arranged along the stems of the plant. Each flower unit, with its dark-pink bracts splaying outward and the deep-purple rolled petals protruding upward like a glowing flame, resembles a lit candle in a candelabra. With the plant often covered in many flowers at once, the overall effect of multiple "candles" gives it its perfect common name.
Why does Pavonia multiflora look so unusual for a mallow family plant?
Pavonia multiflora is described as a botanical anomaly within both its genus Pavonia and the broader mallow family Malvaceae. While typical members of the family, including hibiscus and rose of Sharon, produce wide, open, five-petaled flowers, Pavonia multiflora's petals remain tightly rolled and unexpanded, creating the unique cigar or candle shape. This unusual flower form combined with its dramatic multi-color combination of pink, purple, red, and blue makes it one of the most distinctive plants in the entire family.
Is Pavonia multiflora easy to grow as a houseplant?
Yes, Pavonia multiflora is considered relatively easy and rewarding to grow as a houseplant with the right conditions. It needs bright indirect light, consistent moisture without waterlogging, high humidity, and temperatures above 10 degrees C (50 degrees F). It responds well to pruning and will restart flowering vigorously after a hard cutback. It can also be grown outdoors in a container in warm months and brought indoors before frost.
What does Pavonia multiflora symbolize?
Pavonia multiflora symbolizes mystery, creativity, festivity, and the exuberant spirit of Brazil. Its extraordinary multi-color flowers and unusual structure make it a natural symbol of individuality and creative expression. Its common name, Brazilian Candles, and its almost ceaseless blooming habit connect it to celebration, festivity, and the vibrant energy of tropical life.
How long does Pavonia multiflora bloom?
Pavonia multiflora is an exceptionally free-flowering plant. In temperate cultivation it typically blooms from late spring through early fall (May to October). In ideal tropical conditions or as a well-maintained houseplant, it can bloom nearly year-round. The plant begins flowering when young and, given adequate light and care, maintains an almost continuous supply of its remarkable candle-like flowers.
Available Colors
Quick Facts
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