Chamaecrista absus Plant Care

Chamaecrista absus (L.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Chamaecrista absus, the pig's senna or tropical sensitive pea, is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae, with a worldwide distribution in the tropics and subtropics. An annual herb reaching 60 cm (24 in), it is a common weed of cultivated and waste places, and its seeds are regularly harvested and sold for use in traditional medicine in Africa and Asia.

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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 Chamaecrista absus?

Plant Chamaecrista absus in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 13a) and water a young shrub 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.

What Is the Chamaecrista absus?

Chamaecrista absus (Chamaecrista absus) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Chamaecrista genus. Chamaecrista absus is also known as Wild Senna.

Chamaecrista absus displays a low spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Chamaecrista absus produces small yellow flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Chamaecrista absus?

Water a young or newly planted Chamaecrista absus every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs 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 Chamaecrista absus Need?

Chamaecrista absus thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Chamaecrista absus Prefer?

Chamaecrista absus tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Chamaecrista absus prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

60–85°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Chamaecrista absus?

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

How Often Should You Fertilize a Chamaecrista absus?

Feed Chamaecrista absus every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs 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 Chamaecrista absus?

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

Chamaecrista absus is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

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

How Far Apart Should You Plant a Chamaecrista absus?

Chamaecrista absus can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 2 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 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 plant spacing calculator.

How Do You Prune a Chamaecrista absus?

Prune Chamaecrista absus 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 shrub in one year.

How Do You Care for a Chamaecrista absus in Winter?

Chamaecrista absus 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 Chamaecrista absus?

Chamaecrista absus can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to partridge pea plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Chamaecrista absus Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Chamaecrista absus, 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 Chamaecrista absus?

Chamaecrista absus is susceptible to aphids, leafhoppers, whiteflies. 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 Chamaecrista absus Need?

Chamaecrista absus grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Chamaecrista absus as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 13a

Keep exploring plants

Chamaecrista absus 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 Chamaecrista genus — compare its care with other Chamaecrista species on PlantoScan.

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

Chamaecrista absus thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Chamaecrista Species

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

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Chamaecrista absus (L.) H.S.Irwin & Barneby, family Fabaceae (first published in Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 35: 664 (1982)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Chamaecrista absus, 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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