Senegalia westiana Plant Care
Senegalia westiana (DC.) Britton & Rose
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Senegalia riparia, commonly known as catch & keep, calumbi, jurema-branca, acacia zarza, amourette, and fleur du ben-aimé, is a thorny flowering plant of the family Fabaceae. It is native to Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Lesser Antilles,Trinidad, and northern South America.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun
60–85°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Senegalia westiana?
Plant Senegalia westiana in full sun (USDA zones 13a) and water a young tree every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F (16–29°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Senegalia westiana Native To?
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Argentina
- Aruba
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Cayman Islands
- Chile
- Colombia
- Cuba
- Curaçao
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- French Guiana
- Grenada
- Guadeloupe
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Jamaica
- Martinique
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Puerto Rico
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Suriname
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Turks and Caicos Islands
- Uruguay
- Venezuela
- Virgin Islands, British
- Virgin Islands, U.S.
What Is the Senegalia westiana?
Senegalia westiana (Senegalia westiana) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Senegalia genus. Senegalia westiana is native to Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Lesser Antilles,Trinidad, and northern South America.
Senegalia westiana displays a tall, spreading tree growth habit, reaching up to 30 ft tall with a spread of approximately 20 ft. Senegalia westiana produces small, creamy white spherical clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Senegalia westiana?
Water a young or newly planted Senegalia westiana every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees 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 Senegalia westiana Need?
Senegalia westiana thrives in full sun.
Light Requirement
Full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Senegalia westiana Prefer?
Senegalia westiana tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Senegalia westiana prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–85°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Senegalia westiana?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Senegalia westiana to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Senegalia westiana?
Feed Senegalia westiana every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees 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 Senegalia westiana?
Choose a spot with full sun and well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Senegalia westiana is suited to USDA Zone 13a.
Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.
How Far Apart Should You Plant a Senegalia westiana?
Senegalia westiana can spread to about 20 ft (6.1 m) and reach about 30 ft (9 m) tall. Space plants about 20 ft (6.1 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 tree spacing calculator.
How Do You Prune a Senegalia westiana?
Prune Senegalia westiana 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 tree in one year.
How Do You Care for a Senegalia westiana in Winter?
Senegalia westiana is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). 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 Senegalia westiana?
Senegalia westiana can be propagated through seeds, root cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to texas acacia plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Senegalia westiana Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Senegalia westiana, 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 Senegalia westiana?
Senegalia westiana is susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, scale insects. 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 Senegalia westiana Need?
Senegalia westiana grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Senegalia westiana is native to Hispaniola, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, the Lesser Antilles,Trinidad, and northern South America. In cooler regions, grow Senegalia westiana as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Senegalia westiana 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 Senegalia genus — compare its care with other Senegalia species on PlantoScan.
Senegalia is part of the Fabaceae plant family — browse all Fabaceae genera and species.
Senegalia westiana thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Senegalia Species
Other Senegalia species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Senegalia westiana (DC.) Britton & Rose, family Fabaceae (first published in N. Amer. Fl. 23: 119 (1928)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Senegalia westiana, 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 13a, 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.
