Cardinal Flower Plant Care
Poitea carinalis (Griseb.) Lavin
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Poitea carinalis is a species of flowering plant in the legume family Fabaceae that is endemic to Dominica, where it is the national flower.
Full sun to partial shade
At a glance
How do you care for Cardinal Flower?
Cardinal Flower grows best in full sun to partial shade.
Where Is the Cardinal Flower Native To?
What Is the Cardinal Flower?
Cardinal Flower (Poitea carinalis) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Poitea genus. Cardinal Flower is native to Dominica.
Cardinal Flower displays a vining, climbing shrub growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Cardinal Flower produces small clusters of yellow pea-like flowers.
What Light Does the Cardinal Flower Need?
Cardinal Flower thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Cardinal Flower?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Cardinal Flower to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Cardinal Flower?
Repot every 1-2 years 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 Cardinal Flower?
Cardinal Flower can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings.
Is the Cardinal Flower Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Cardinal Flower, 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 Cardinal Flower?
Cardinal Flower is susceptible to aphids, whiteflies, 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.
Keep exploring plants
Cardinal Flower 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 Poitea genus — compare its care with other Poitea species on PlantoScan.
Poitea is part of the Fabaceae plant family — browse all Fabaceae genera and species.
Cardinal Flower 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: Poitea carinalis (Griseb.) Lavin, family Fabaceae (first published in Syst. Bot. Monogr. 37: 65 (1993)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Cardinal Flower, 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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