Bird Flower Plant Care

Bird Flower (Crotalaria cunninghamii) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Crotalaria genus. Bird Flower is also known as Rattlepod.

Bird Flower displays an upright, branching shrub growth habit, reaching up to 4 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Bird Flower produces showy yellow, orange, or red pea-like flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Bird Flower 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.

Bird Flower thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Crotalaria cunninghamii tolerates temperatures of 65–85°F. Bird Flower prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

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

Feed Bird Flower 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.

Bird Flower is suited to USDA Zone 13b.

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.

Bird Flower can spread to about 3 ft (0.9 m) and reach about 4 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 3 ft (0.9 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 Bird Flower 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.

Bird Flower 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.

Bird Flower can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to rattlepod plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Bird Flower is susceptible to aphids, whiteflies, leafhoppers. 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.

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