Needle-leaf Shaggy Pea Plant Care
Oxylobium aciculiferum (F.Muell.) Benth.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Podolobium aciculiferum, commonly known as needle shaggy-pea, is a flowering plant in the family Fabaceae and endemic to eastern Australia. It has stiff, pointed leaves and yellow pea-like flowers with red markings.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–85°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Needle-leaf Shaggy Pea?
Plant Needle-leaf Shaggy Pea in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F (10–29°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Needle-leaf Shaggy Pea Native To?
What Is the Needle-leaf Shaggy Pea?
Needle-leaf Shaggy Pea (Oxylobium aciculiferum) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Oxylobium genus. Needle-leaf Shaggy Pea is native to eastern Australia.
Needle-leaf Shaggy Pea displays an upright, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Needle-leaf Shaggy Pea produces bright yellow pea-like flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Needle-leaf Shaggy Pea?
Water a young or newly planted Needle-leaf Shaggy Pea 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 Needle-leaf Shaggy Pea Need?
Needle-leaf Shaggy Pea thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Needle-leaf Shaggy Pea Prefer?
Oxylobium aciculiferum tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. Needle-leaf Shaggy Pea prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–85°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Needle-leaf Shaggy Pea?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Needle-leaf Shaggy Pea to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Needle-leaf Shaggy Pea?
Feed Needle-leaf Shaggy Pea 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 Needle-leaf Shaggy Pea?
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.
Needle-leaf Shaggy Pea is suited to USDA Zone 12a.
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 Needle-leaf Shaggy Pea?
Needle-leaf Shaggy Pea can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 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 Needle-leaf Shaggy Pea?
Prune Needle-leaf Shaggy Pea 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 Needle-leaf Shaggy Pea in Winter?
Needle-leaf Shaggy Pea is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). 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 Needle-leaf Shaggy Pea?
Needle-leaf Shaggy Pea can be propagated through seeds, cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to tree shaggy pea plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Needle-leaf Shaggy Pea Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Needle-leaf Shaggy 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 Needle-leaf Shaggy Pea?
Needle-leaf Shaggy Pea is susceptible to aphids, leafhoppers, 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 Needle-leaf Shaggy Pea Need?
Needle-leaf Shaggy Pea grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Needle-leaf Shaggy Pea is native to eastern Australia. In cooler regions, grow Needle-leaf Shaggy Pea as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Needle-leaf Shaggy 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 Oxylobium genus — compare its care with other Oxylobium species on PlantoScan.
Oxylobium is part of the Fabaceae plant family — browse all Fabaceae genera and species.
Needle-leaf Shaggy Pea thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Oxylobium aciculiferum (F.Muell.) Benth., family Fabaceae (first published in Fl. Austral. 2: 25 (1864)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Needle-leaf Shaggy 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.
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