Gastrolobium celsianum Plant Care

Gastrolobium celsianum (Lem.) G.Chandler & Crisp

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Gastrolobium celsianum, the Swan River pea, is a low-growing shrub which is endemic to Western Australia.

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Water

Every 7–14 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

60–80°F

Humidity

40–60%

At a glance

How do you care for Gastrolobium celsianum?

Plant Gastrolobium celsianum in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 13a) and water a young shrub every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.

Where Is the Gastrolobium celsianum Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Gastrolobium celsianum?

Gastrolobium celsianum (Gastrolobium celsianum) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Gastrolobium genus. Gastrolobium celsianum is native to Western Australia.

Gastrolobium celsianum displays an upright, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 4 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Gastrolobium celsianum produces brightly colored pea-like flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Gastrolobium celsianum?

Water a young or newly planted Gastrolobium celsianum every 7–14 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 7–14 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Gastrolobium celsianum Need?

Gastrolobium celsianum thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Gastrolobium celsianum Prefer?

Gastrolobium celsianum tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Gastrolobium celsianum prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Temperature

60–80°F

Humidity

40–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Gastrolobium celsianum?

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

How Often Should You Fertilize a Gastrolobium celsianum?

Feed Gastrolobium celsianum 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 Gastrolobium celsianum?

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.

Gastrolobium celsianum 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 Gastrolobium celsianum?

Gastrolobium celsianum 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.

How Do You Prune a Gastrolobium celsianum?

Prune Gastrolobium celsianum 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 Gastrolobium celsianum in Winter?

Gastrolobium celsianum 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 Gastrolobium celsianum?

Gastrolobium celsianum can be propagated through seeds, cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to gastrolobium acrocaroli plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Gastrolobium celsianum Toxic to Pets and Children?

Toxic (caution)

Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.

Toxic to humans and pets

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 Gastrolobium celsianum?

Gastrolobium celsianum is susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, spider mites. 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 Gastrolobium celsianum Need?

Gastrolobium celsianum grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Gastrolobium celsianum is native to Western Australia. In cooler regions, grow Gastrolobium celsianum as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 13a

Keep exploring plants

Gastrolobium celsianum 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 Gastrolobium genus — compare its care with other Gastrolobium species on PlantoScan.

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

Gastrolobium celsianum thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Gastrolobium Species

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

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Gastrolobium celsianum (Lem.) G.Chandler & Crisp, family Fabaceae (first published in Austral. Syst. Bot. 15: 696 (2002)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Gastrolobium celsianum is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. 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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