Rusty Bush-pea Plant Care

Rusty Bush-pea (Pultenaea ferruginea) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Pultenaea genus. Rusty Bush-pea is native to eastern Australia. Rusty Bush-pea is also known as Red Bush-pea.

Rusty Bush-pea displays an upright shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Rusty Bush-pea produces small yellow pea-like flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Rusty Bush-pea 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.

Rusty Bush-pea thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Pultenaea ferruginea tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Rusty Bush-pea prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

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

Feed Rusty Bush-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.

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.

Rusty Bush-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.

Rusty Bush-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.

Prune Rusty Bush-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.

Rusty Bush-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.

Rusty Bush-pea can be propagated through seeds, cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to needle bush-pea plant care, which shares the same genus.

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Rusty Bush-pea 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.

Rusty Bush-pea grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Rusty Bush-pea is native to eastern Australia. In cooler regions, grow Rusty Bush-pea as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.