Siratro Plant Care
Macroptilium atropurpureum (DC.) Urb.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Macroptilium atropurpureum, commonly referred to as purple bush-bean, or siratro is a perennial legume recognized by its climbing, dense, green vines and deep purple flowers. The plant is indigenous to the tropical and subtropical regions of North, Central, and South America, as far north as Texas in the US and as far south as Peru and Brazil.
Full sun to partial shade
At a glance
How do you care for Siratro?
Siratro grows best in full sun to partial shade.
Where Is the Siratro Native To?
What Is the Siratro?
Siratro (Macroptilium atropurpureum) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Macroptilium genus. Siratro is native to the tropical and subtropical regions of North, Central, and South America, as far north as Texas in the US and as far south as Peru and Brazil. Siratro is also known as Purple Bush Bean, Aztec Sweet, Sweet Pea.
Siratro displays a spreading herbaceous plant growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Siratro produces small clusters of purple, pink, or white pea-like flowers.
What Light Does the Siratro Need?
Siratro thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Siratro?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Siratro to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Siratro?
Repot every 1-2 years in early 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 Siratro?
Siratro can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to phasey bean plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Siratro Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Siratro, 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 Siratro?
Siratro 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.
Keep exploring plants
Siratro 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 Macroptilium genus — compare its care with other Macroptilium species on PlantoScan.
Macroptilium is part of the Fabaceae plant family — browse all Fabaceae genera and species.
Siratro 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: Macroptilium atropurpureum (DC.) Urb., family Fabaceae (first published in Symb. Antill. 9: 457 (1928)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Siratro, 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.
- 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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