Trailing Bushpea Plant Care

Pultenaea prostrata Benth. ex Hook.f.

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Pultenaea prostrata, commonly known as silky bush-pea, is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae and is endemic to south-eastern Australia. It is a small, rigid, wiry, low-lying or prostrate shrub with cylindrical leaves, and yellow, red and purple-brown flowers.

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Water

Every 7–14 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

50–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

At a glance

How do you care for Trailing Bushpea?

Plant Trailing Bushpea in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Trailing Bushpea Native To?

Native range1 country

What Is the Trailing Bushpea?

Trailing Bushpea (Pultenaea prostrata) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Pultenaea genus. Trailing Bushpea is native to south-eastern Australia. Trailing Bushpea is also known as Prostrate Bushpea.

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

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Trailing Bushpea?

Water a young or newly planted Trailing Bushpea 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 Trailing Bushpea Need?

Trailing Bushpea thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Trailing Bushpea Prefer?

Pultenaea prostrata tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Trailing Bushpea prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Temperature

50–80°F

Humidity

40–70%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Trailing Bushpea?

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

How Often Should You Fertilize a Trailing Bushpea?

Feed Trailing Bushpea 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 Trailing Bushpea?

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.

Trailing Bushpea 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 Trailing Bushpea?

Trailing Bushpea 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 Trailing Bushpea?

Prune Trailing Bushpea 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 Trailing Bushpea in Winter?

Trailing Bushpea 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 Trailing Bushpea?

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

Is the Trailing Bushpea Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Trailing Bushpea, 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 Trailing Bushpea?

Trailing Bushpea 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 Trailing Bushpea Need?

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

Hardiness Zone

Zone 12a

Keep exploring plants

Trailing Bushpea 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 Pultenaea genus — compare its care with other Pultenaea species on PlantoScan.

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

Trailing Bushpea thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Pultenaea Species

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

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Pultenaea prostrata Benth. ex Hook.f., family Fabaceae (first published in Flora Tasmaniae 1(2) 1856) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Trailing Bushpea, 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.

Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.

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