Karam Plant Care
Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Biancaea decapetala, commonly known as shoofly, Mauritius or Mysore thorn or the cat's claw, is a tropical tree species originating in India.
Bright indirect light
At a glance
How do you care for Karam?
Karam grows best in bright indirect light.
Where Is the Karam Native To?
What Is the Karam?
Karam (Biancaea decapetala) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Biancaea genus. Karam is native to India. Karam is also known as Seven-leaf Seven-sisters, Seven Sisters, Seven-leaf Teak.
Karam displays a vining, climbing plant growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Karam produces small clusters of pink, purple, or white pea-like flowers.
What Light Does the Karam Need?
Karam thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Karam in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect light
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Karam?
Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Karam to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Karam?
Repot annually in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Karam?
Karam can be propagated through seeds, division of rhizomes. Similar propagation techniques also apply to sappanwood plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Karam Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Karam, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Karam?
Karam is susceptible to aphids, whiteflies, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
Keep exploring plants
Karam is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Biancaea genus — compare its care with other Biancaea species on PlantoScan.
Biancaea is part of the Fabaceae plant family — browse all Fabaceae genera and species.
Karam thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Biancaea decapetala (Roth) O.Deg., family Fabaceae (first published in Fl. Hawaiiensis : K7 (1936)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Karam, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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