Prickly Flame Pea Plant Care
Chorizema aciculare (DC.) C.A.Gardner
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Chorizema aciculare, commonly known as needle-leaved chorizema, is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae and is endemic to the southwest of Western Australia. It is a shrub with sharply-pointed leaves, the flower colour depending on subspecies.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Prickly Flame Pea?
Water Prickly Flame Pea every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Prickly Flame Pea Native To?
What Is the Prickly Flame Pea?
Prickly Flame Pea (Chorizema aciculare) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Chorizema genus. Prickly Flame Pea is native to the southwest of Western Australia.
Prickly Flame Pea displays a vining, trailing growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Prickly Flame Pea produces bright orange pea-like flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Prickly Flame Pea?
Chorizema aciculare requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Prickly Flame Pea Need?
Prickly Flame Pea thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Prickly Flame Pea Prefer?
Chorizema aciculare grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Prickly Flame Pea prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Prickly Flame Pea?
Well-draining sandy soil mix with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Prickly Flame Pea to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Prickly Flame Pea?
Feed Prickly Flame Pea every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Prickly Flame Pea?
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 Prickly Flame Pea?
Prickly Flame Pea can be propagated through seeds, softwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to keel-fruited flame pea plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Prickly Flame Pea Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Prickly Flame Pea, 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 Prickly Flame Pea?
Prickly Flame Pea is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, 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 Prickly Flame Pea Need?
Prickly Flame Pea grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Prickly Flame Pea is native to the southwest of Western Australia. In cooler regions, grow Prickly Flame Pea as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Prickly Flame Pea 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 Chorizema genus — compare its care with other Chorizema species on PlantoScan.
Chorizema is part of the Fabaceae plant family — browse all Fabaceae genera and species.
Prickly Flame Pea thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Chorizema Species
Other Chorizema species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Chorizema aciculare (DC.) C.A.Gardner, family Fabaceae (first published in Enum. Pl. Austr. Occ. : 56 (1930)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Prickly Flame Pea, 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 12a, 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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