On now: around 1 Oct to 9 Nov 2026
Jacaranda season in Pretoria
Tens of thousands of jacaranda trees turn South Africa's capital purple in October.
What happens
Pretoria is known as the Jacaranda City. The tree comes from South America and was planted along the streets from the late nineteenth century, and there are now tens of thousands. They flower on bare branches from late September to early November, with the peak in October, and the fallen blossoms lie like a carpet on the pavements. Students say that if a flower drops on your head you will pass your exams, which fall in the same weeks. One street in the suburb of Groenkloof is lined with rare white jacarandas.
Also part of it, and being written: Jacaranda mimosifolia (The blue jacaranda, a street tree brought from South America.), Jacaranda (A white-flowered form lines one Pretoria street.).
Original text by the Phool desk, written with AI assistance. Background: "Jacaranda mimosifolia" on Wikipedia. Customs differ from family to family and place to place. If we have something wrong, tell us.