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🚚 Shipping Update:
We’re now shipping nationwide across the continental U.S. again! 🌱
📦 Please note: Shipping to California remains paused due to agricultural regulations.
🔥 Coral Bean Seeds (Erythrina herbacea) – Wild Beauty That Feeds the Land 🌿
If you’re looking for a plant that’s as functional as it is striking, Coral Bean (Erythrina herbacea) deserves a spot in your landscape. This resilient native legume does far more than add a splash of color — it actively enriches the soil, supports pollinators, and thrives in tough conditions where many ornamentals fail.
Known by many names — Cherokee Bean, Red Cardinal, or simply Coral Bean — this Florida native perennial brings bold clusters of scarlet flowers in early spring, often before its leaves emerge, drawing hummingbirds and butterflies from near and far. As a nitrogen-fixing plant, it partners with beneficial soil bacteria to capture atmospheric nitrogen and return it to the ground, naturally fertilizing the soil for nearby fruit trees and perennials.
Once established, Coral Bean is remarkably drought-tolerant, low-maintenance, and root-hardy even after frost — making it ideal for Florida and the southeastern U.S. Whether you’re building a food forest, native habitat, or pollinator corridor, this species adds ecological value and visual interest in equal measure.
🌿 Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Erythrina herbacea |
| Common Names | Coral Bean, Cherokee Bean, Red Cardinal |
| Plant Type | Deciduous shrub / herbaceous perennial; nitrogen-fixing legume |
| Sale Size | Seeds |
| Mature Height & Width | 4–6 ft tall (up to 12 ft in tropics) × 3–5 ft wide |
| USDA Zones | 7 – 10 (root hardy to ≈ 10–15 °F) |
| Sun Requirements | Full sun to part shade |
| Growth Habit | Multi-stemmed, upright, spreading shrub |
| Soil & Drainage | Prefers sandy / loamy, well-drained soils |
| Spacing | 3 – 5 ft apart |
| Ecological Role | Nitrogen fixer – improves soil fertility |
🌸 Bloom & Seed Show
- Bloom Season: Late winter → early spring (before leaves flush)
- Flowers: Upright scarlet spires 8–12″ long; irresistible to hummingbirds
- Pollinators: Hummingbirds, butterflies & native bees
- Seed Pods: Glossy black pods to 8½″ with bright red seeds
- ⚠️ Warning: Seeds are toxic if eaten — ornamental & ecological use only
🌱 Why Grow Coral Bean?
🌺 1. A Pollinator Magnet
Hummingbirds dive for its nectar every spring, while butterflies and bees feast on its early blooms.
🌾 2. A Soil-Builder
As a nitrogen-fixing legume, Coral Bean forms symbiotic nodules that enrich the soil — reducing your need for fertilizers and feeding surrounding fruit trees.
🪶 3. A Florida Native with Purpose
Thrives in sandy, coastal, and dry upland soils where other ornamentals fail.
🕊 4. A Living Story
Cherokee Bean is steeped in Indigenous history — valued by the Cherokee, Creek, and Chickasaw as a healing and ceremonial plant.
🔥 5. A Survivor
Root-hardy to ~10 °F, drought-tolerant once established, and quick to re-sprout after frost.
📖 A Glimpse into History
The Coral Bean’s striking red seeds and flame-like flowers earned it a place in countless Native American stories.
- Medicinal Heritage: Tribal healers once prepared roots and bark in tiny, measured doses for fevers, digestive troubles, and colds.
- Ceremonial Symbolism: Seeds were strung into necklaces or charms for protection and used in rituals of renewal.
- Practical History: In early America and Mexico, its alkaloid-rich seeds served as fish poison and rodent deterrents.
⚠️ For historical reference only — Coral Bean is not safe for internal use.
🌼 Landscape & Container Uses
- Visual Appeal: Dark-green trifoliate leaves emerge after flowering, followed by red seed pods that linger through summer.
- Design Function: Perfect accent for native gardens, pollinator borders, or permaculture guilds as a support species.
- Containers: Grows beautifully in large outdoor pots. Cut back stems after frost and protect roots with mulch.
- Not Indoor-Friendly: Needs strong sunlight and free airflow.
🌿 Best Practices for Planting & Care
🌞 Where to Plant
- Choose full sun for the strongest flowering; part shade tolerated.
- Prefers sandy / loamy, well-drained soil — excellent for Florida’s coastal or upland landscapes.
🌱 Starting from Seed
- Scarify seeds lightly with sandpaper.
- Soak overnight in warm water.
- Sow ½–1″ deep in trays or direct in ground once soil > 70 °F.
- Germination in 2–4 weeks.
🌿 Transplanting (From Container)
- Dig a hole only slightly wider than the rootball, same depth.
- Backfill with compost + native soil.
- Top-dress with biochar, compost, and azomite for long-term nutrition.
- Water thoroughly, keeping soil moist but not soggy.
- Follow our “High & Tight” method → GreenDreams YouTube Video
💧 Watering Schedule
- Daily until established (2–3 weeks).
- Weekly through the first year.
- Minimal watering once roots mature – highly drought tolerant.
🍂 Seasonal Maintenance
- Zones 7–8: Dies back in winter → rebounds each spring.
- Zones 9–10: May stay semi-evergreen.
- Pruning: Cut back dead wood after frost or flowering.
- Mulch: Maintain 2–3″ hardwood mulch, keeping a few inches off the stems.
⚠️ Cautions
- Toxic Seeds: Keep away from children & pets.
- Brittle Stems: Prune to prevent wind breakage.
- Not for foraging use.
🌟 Is This Plant Right for You?
✅ Ideal For:
- Native-plant enthusiasts & pollinator gardeners
- Food-forest builders (needs nitrogen fixers!)
- Sandy / coastal landscapes
- Hummingbird and butterfly habitats
❌ Not Ideal For:
- Families with small children or curious pets
- Heavy clay or poorly drained yards
- Zones below 7 without protection
🔍 Troubleshooting Guide (Using GreenDreams Emoji System )
| ⚠️ Issue | 🧠 Cause | 🌿 Solution |
|---|---|---|
| 🍂 Leaves yellowing after flowering | 🧘 Seasonal die-back | 🌿 Normal – will resprout in spring |
| 💧 Wilting young plants | 💦 Over- or under-watering | 💡 Keep even moisture until roots establish |
| 🌬️ Broken stems after storms | 🌬️ Wind damage | 🪴 Stake young plants & prune lightly |
| 🐛 Chewed foliage | 🪲 Caterpillars or leaf beetles | ♻️ Use organic neem or BT spray |
| ❄️ Brown tips after freeze | ❄️ Frost damage | 🪵 Mulch roots & cut back after thaw |
❓ FAQ
Q: Is Coral Bean a nitrogen fixer?
A: Yes – it hosts Rhizobium bacteria that convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable plant food, naturally enriching the soil.
Q: Are the seeds edible?
A: No. Seeds contain alkaloids that are toxic to humans and animals.
Q: How do I germinate the seeds?
A: Scarify and soak overnight before sowing ½–1″ deep. Expect sprouts in 2–4 weeks.
Q: Will it survive winter in North Florida or Georgia?
A: Yes – the top dies back, but the roots survive and re-sprout each spring.
Q: Can it grow in containers?
A: Absolutely – use a large pot with well-drained soil and prune seasonally.
📦 Shipping & Handling Notes
- Best Suited For: Florida, Southeast & Texas gardens
- Nationwide Shipping: Available via UPS Ground (Mon ship days)
- ⚠️ Heat / Cold Advisory: Buyer discretion during extreme temperatures — GreenDreams not liable for weather damage in transit.
- Seeds and 4″ plants may require extra recovery time after shipping.
Local Pickup Option
📍 GreenDreams Nursery & Farm
18709 US Hwy 41, Spring Hill, FL 34610
🕘 Tues–Fri 9 AM – 5 PM | Sat 8 AM – 3 PM
🌸 Stop by to explore our native & edible collections — discover what’s blooming this week!
🌿 Beyond the Plant: GreenDreams Services
At GreenDreams, we don’t just sell plants — we design, build, and restore ecosystems across Florida.
- 🌳 On-site consultations & edible landscape design
- 🌾 Permaculture food forest installation
- 🚚 Bulk delivery of compost, mulch & biochar
- ♻️ Organic materials & wholesale programs
Let our team help you create a thriving edible oasis starting with Coral Bean Seeds (Erythrina herbacea)! 🌿
IMPORTANT INFORMATION BEFORE PURCHASING LIVE PLANTS:
*Please be advised that our online store selections are NOT available for pickup at our retail location in Spring Hill, Florida.
Inventory for our online store is located at a separate facility and are priced and handled exclusively for packaging & shipping.
Click here to learn more about our Spring Hill, FL retail nursery location, including countless more nursery selections ready for pickup - larger sizes and wider variety of plants not suitable for nationwide delivery.
1. Shipping Stress: Transportation can be stressful for plants, particularly when they spend several days in a confined, dark environment. It’s common for plants to experience leaf drop during this period. Rest assured, most plants typically recover quickly and thrive with minimal aftercare. However, some may need extra attention, love, and care, requiring appropriate watering and exposure to gentle light post-unboxing.
2. Potential Physical Damage: Despite our dedicated efforts to ensure that your plants are securely packaged, they may incur damage during shipping and handling by UPS. Rest assured, our shipping team is committed to packing your selections with utmost care and precision to minimize any potential harm.
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For significant box damage, please reach out to UPS within 30 days to initiate a claim.
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For minor damages, such as a broken branch or stem, we advise allowing the plant time to recover and regenerate with proper care and attention.
3. Long-Distance Shipping Considerations: Orders shipped over long distances, particularly to the western US, may take 3 - 5 business days to arrive due to various factors, including agricultural inspections in Arizona, California, and Texas. Such extended transit times can be particularly challenging for tender, young plants, affecting their quality due to prolonged confinement.
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We take additional measures during packaging to facilitate a swift recovery of the plants upon unboxing.
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Initial extra care and attention might be required over the first few weeks post-transport.
For further guidance, kindly review our detailed policies on returns and refunds, as well as our comprehensive plant care guide. We appreciate your understanding and patience in nurturing your new plants.
🌿 Important Shipping Information
Please take a moment to review our shipping protocols designed to ensure your plants arrive in optimal condition.
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Countdown Clock: At the top of our online store, you'll notice a countdown clock. This tool helps communicate our weekly shipping schedule, providing clarity on when you can expect your orders to be dispatched.
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Shipping Schedule: Our nursery, located in the heart of Central Florida, ships orders once weekly, every Monday. This is a strategic decision to prevent packages from being stationary over the weekends, ensuring that our plants travel as swiftly as possible across the country, even reaching as far as California.
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Shipping Method: At present, we offer ground shipping rates to meet various needs while maintaining the well-being of our plants during transit.
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Our Dedicated Team: We are a boutique nursery with a passionate team. Our members wear many hats, contributing to shipping, nursery operations, and engaging in valuable local projects. As we blossom and expand, rest assured that enhancing and streamlining our processes remains a priority to serve you better
Terms and Conditions for Purchasing Live Plants
1. Understanding of Shipping Stress
By purchasing live plants from our store, the customer acknowledges that transportation can be stressful for plants. It is common for plants to undergo leaf drop or experience other temporary issues during shipping. However, it is understood that most plants recover quickly with adequate care and attention post-shipping.
2. Awareness of Potential Physical Damage
Customers acknowledge that despite our best efforts in packaging, there may be occurrences of damage during shipping and handling. For substantial damages to the package, customers agree to contact UPS within 30 days to initiate a claim.
3. Acknowledgement of Long-Distance Shipping Considerations
Customers recognize that shipments, especially those directed to the western US, may be subjected to longer shipping durations of 3-5 business days. Customers agree to provide necessary care to the plants, recognizing that the quality of the plants may be affected due to prolonged shipping times.
4. Agreement with Shipping Information and Schedule
Customers, by making a purchase, have reviewed and agreed upon our shipping protocols and schedules. They acknowledge the presence of a countdown clock on the website and our once-weekly shipping policy every Monday, recognizing the rationale behind avoiding weekend layovers for the plants.
5.Extreme Weather Conditions
Customers acknowledge that our store is not responsible for damage or loss of live plants due to extreme weather conditions during transit and delivery. This includes exposure to cold or freezing temperatures during the winter months and extreme heat during the summer. We provide tracking information when orders are processed every Monday to ensure customers are aware of the delivery schedule. It is the customer's responsibility to prevent packages from being left outside in conditions that may cause damage. Our store does not accept responsibility for any adverse effects caused by weather conditions beyond our control.
6. No Refund Policy
Customers agree that refunds are only processed under exceptional circumstances. Our store will not be held responsible for poor plant choices relative to location suitability, extreme conditions during and/or post-shipment, and improper post-purchase plant care.
7. Responsibility of Care
Upon purchase, customers agree to assume full responsibility for the ongoing care of the plants. This includes, but is not limited to, appropriate watering, exposure to suitable light, and adherence to specific care instructions pertinent to each plant type.
8. Consent
By proceeding with this purchase, customers consent to all the terms and conditions stated above, confirming understanding and agreement to all stipulations mentioned.
These terms and conditions aim to ensure clarity, mutual understanding, and agreement between the seller and the customer to facilitate a smooth transaction and foster a positive customer experience.
