Cassia fikifiki Plant Care

Cassia fikifiki Aubrév. & Pellegr.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Cassia fikifiki is an uncommon small rainforest species of tree in the family Fabaceae. It is found in Côte d'Ivoire and Liberia.

🌳Trees🌿Shrubs🍃Climbers & Vines
Water

Every 7–10 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

60–85°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Cassia fikifiki?

Plant Cassia fikifiki in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 13a) and water a young tree every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F (16–29°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Cassia fikifiki Native To?

Native range2 countries

What Is the Cassia fikifiki?

Cassia fikifiki (Cassia fikifiki) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Cassia genus. Cassia fikifiki is native to Côte d'Ivoire and Liberia.

Cassia fikifiki displays a small to medium-sized tree growth habit, reaching up to 20 ft tall with a spread of approximately 15 ft. Cassia fikifiki produces showy clusters of yellow flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Cassia fikifiki?

Water a young or newly planted Cassia fikifiki every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Watering Frequency

Every 7–10 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Cassia fikifiki Need?

Cassia fikifiki thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Cassia fikifiki Prefer?

Cassia fikifiki tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Cassia fikifiki prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

60–85°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Cassia fikifiki?

Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Cassia fikifiki to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Cassia fikifiki?

Feed Cassia fikifiki every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

Fertilizing

Every 6 months

During the growing season

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Where Should You Plant a Cassia fikifiki?

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Cassia fikifiki is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Cassia fikifiki?

Cassia fikifiki can spread to about 15 ft (4.6 m) and reach about 20 ft (6 m) tall. Space plants about 15 ft (4.6 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

How Do You Prune a Cassia fikifiki?

Prune Cassia fikifiki while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

How Do You Care for a Cassia fikifiki in Winter?

Cassia fikifiki is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

How Do You Propagate a Cassia fikifiki?

Cassia fikifiki can be propagated through seeds, softwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to shorthorn senna plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Cassia fikifiki Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Cassia fikifiki, 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 Cassia fikifiki?

Cassia fikifiki is susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, scale insects. 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.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Cassia fikifiki Need?

Cassia fikifiki grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Cassia fikifiki is native to Côte d'Ivoire and Liberia. In cooler regions, grow Cassia fikifiki as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 13a

Keep exploring plants

Cassia fikifiki 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 Cassia genus — compare its care with other Cassia species on PlantoScan.

Cassia is part of the Fabaceae plant family — browse all Fabaceae genera and species.

Cassia fikifiki thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Cassia Species

Other Cassia species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Cassia fikifiki Aubrév. & Pellegr., family Fabaceae (first published in Bull. Soc. Bot. France 104: 496 (1958)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Cassia fikifiki, 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.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
  • 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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