Roxburgh's Cassia (Cassia roxburghii)

Photo: J.M.GargCC BY 3.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped

Roxburgh's Cassia Plant Care

Cassia roxburghii DC.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Cassia roxburghii, the red cassia, Roxburgh's cassia or Ceylon senna, is a flowering plant in the family Fabaceae. The species is native to the Indian subcontinent and adjacent regions of Southeast Asia. It ranges throughout South India and Sri Lanka.

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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 Roxburgh's Cassia?

Plant Roxburgh's Cassia in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 10b–11b) 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 Roxburgh's Cassia Native To?

Native range18 countries

What Is the Roxburgh's Cassia?

Roxburgh's Cassia (Cassia roxburghii) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Cassia genus. Roxburgh's Cassia is native to the Indian subcontinent and adjacent regions of Southeast Asia. Roxburgh's Cassia is also known as Pink Shower, Cassia roxburghii.

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

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Roxburgh's Cassia?

Water a young or newly planted Roxburgh's Cassia 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 Roxburgh's Cassia Need?

Roxburgh's Cassia thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Roxburgh's Cassia Prefer?

Cassia roxburghii tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Roxburgh's Cassia prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

60–85°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Roxburgh's Cassia?

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

How Often Should You Fertilize a Roxburgh's Cassia?

Feed Roxburgh's Cassia 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 Roxburgh's Cassia?

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.

Roxburgh's Cassia is suited to USDA Zone 10b – 11b.

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 Roxburgh's Cassia?

Roxburgh's Cassia 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 Roxburgh's Cassia?

Prune Roxburgh's Cassia 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 Roxburgh's Cassia in Winter?

Roxburgh's Cassia is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 10). 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 Roxburgh's Cassia?

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

Is the Roxburgh's Cassia Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Roxburgh's Cassia, 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 Roxburgh's Cassia?

Roxburgh's Cassia 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 Roxburgh's Cassia Need?

Roxburgh's Cassia grows outdoors in USDA Zone 10b – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 10b. Roxburgh's Cassia is native to the Indian subcontinent and adjacent regions of Southeast Asia. In cooler regions, grow Roxburgh's Cassia as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 10b – 11b

Keep exploring plants

Roxburgh's Cassia 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.

Roxburgh's Cassia 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 roxburghii DC., family Fabaceae (first published in Prodr. 2: 489 (1825)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Roxburgh's Cassia, 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.
  • Photo: J.M.Garg, CC BY 3.0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 10b – 11b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
  • 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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