Photo: Harry Rose from South West Rocks, AustraliaCC BY 2.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
Stylo Plant Care
Stylosanthes guianensis (Aubl.) Sw.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Stylosanthes guianensis, the stylo, is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae. It is native to the New World Tropics and Subtropics, and has been introduced to Puerto Rico, the Windward Islands, Trinidad and Tobago, most of Sub‑Saharan Africa, Madagascar, Mauritius, Réunion, Rodrigues, the Indian Subcontinent, Sri Lanka, Thailand, southeast China, Hainan, Taiwan, New Guinea, Queensland, New Caledonia, and the Cook Islands. An important forage and fodder species, its palatability to livestock increases as the plant matures, making it an unusual, and valuable, deferred feed. It has high genetic diversity between and among its named varieties.
Full sun to partial shade
At a glance
How do you care for Stylo?
Stylo grows best in full sun to partial shade.
What Is the Stylo?
Stylo (Stylosanthes guianensis) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Stylosanthes genus. Stylo is also known as Perennial Stylo, Guiana Stylo, Astyposanthes guianensis.
Stylo displays a low-growing spreading perennial growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Stylo produces small clusters of yellow, orange, or red flowers.
What Light Does the Stylo Need?
Stylo thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Stylo?
Well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Stylo to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Stylo?
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 Stylo?
Stylo can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings.
Is the Stylo Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Stylo, 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 Stylo?
Stylo 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.
Keep exploring plants
Stylo 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 Stylosanthes genus — compare its care with other Stylosanthes species on PlantoScan.
Stylosanthes is part of the Fabaceae plant family — browse all Fabaceae genera and species.
Stylo 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: Stylosanthes guianensis (Aubl.) Sw., family Fabaceae (first published in Kongl. Vetensk. Acad. Handl. 1789: 296 (1789)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Stylo, 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.
- Photo: Harry Rose from South West Rocks, Australia, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
- 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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