Ornate Yam Pea Plant Care

Ornate Yam Pea (Sphenostylis ornata) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Sphenostylis genus. Ornate Yam Pea is native to West Africa.

Ornate Yam Pea displays a vining, spreading shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Ornate Yam Pea produces showy clusters of red, orange, or yellow pea-like flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Ornate Yam Pea every 7–10 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.

Ornate Yam Pea thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Sphenostylis ornata tolerates temperatures of 65–85°F. Ornate Yam Pea prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Ornate Yam Pea to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Ornate Yam Pea every 2 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 loamy soil with added organic matter for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

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.

Ornate Yam 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 Ornate Yam 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.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown shrubs need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Ornate Yam Pea can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to african yam bean plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Ornate Yam Pea 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.