Round-leaved Cassia Plant Care

Round-leaved Cassia (Chamaecrista rotundifolia) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Chamaecrista genus. Round-leaved Cassia is also known as Winter Cassia, Sensitive Cassia, Cassia fabaginifolia.

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

Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Round-leaved Cassia 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.

Round-leaved Cassia thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Chamaecrista rotundifolia tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Round-leaved Cassia prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

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

Feed Round-leaved Cassia 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.

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

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.

Round-leaved Cassia 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.

Round-leaved Cassia 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.

Prune Round-leaved 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 shrub in one year.

Round-leaved Cassia 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.

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

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Round-leaved Cassia 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.

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