Swainsona beasleyana Plant Care
Swainsona beasleyana F.Muell.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Swainsona beasleyana is a species of flowering plant in the family Fabaceae and is endemic to inland areas of Western Australia. It is a low-lying perennial herb with imparipinnate leaves usually with 15 to 19 egg-shaped leaflets with the narrower end towards the base, and racemes of 3 to 8 pale or dark purple flowers.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Swainsona beasleyana?
Plant Swainsona beasleyana in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 12a) and water a young shrub every 7–10 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 Swainsona beasleyana Native To?
What Is the Swainsona beasleyana?
Swainsona beasleyana (Swainsona beasleyana) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Swainsona genus. Swainsona beasleyana is native to inland areas of Western Australia.
Swainsona beasleyana displays a bushy perennial shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Swainsona beasleyana produces showy pea-like flowers in various colors.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Swainsona beasleyana?
Water a young or newly planted Swainsona beasleyana 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.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Swainsona beasleyana Need?
Swainsona beasleyana thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Swainsona beasleyana Prefer?
Swainsona beasleyana tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Swainsona beasleyana prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Swainsona beasleyana?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Swainsona beasleyana to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Swainsona beasleyana?
Feed Swainsona beasleyana 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 Swainsona beasleyana?
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.
Swainsona beasleyana 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 Swainsona beasleyana?
Swainsona beasleyana 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 Swainsona beasleyana?
Prune Swainsona beasleyana 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 Swainsona beasleyana in Winter?
Swainsona beasleyana 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 Swainsona beasleyana?
Swainsona beasleyana can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to swainsona acuticarinata plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Swainsona beasleyana Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Swainsona beasleyana, 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 Swainsona beasleyana?
Swainsona beasleyana is susceptible to aphids, whiteflies, 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 Swainsona beasleyana Need?
Swainsona beasleyana grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Swainsona beasleyana is native to inland areas of Western Australia. In cooler regions, grow Swainsona beasleyana as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Swainsona beasleyana 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 Swainsona genus — compare its care with other Swainsona species on PlantoScan.
Swainsona is part of the Fabaceae plant family — browse all Fabaceae genera and species.
Swainsona beasleyana thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Swainsona Species
Other Swainsona species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Swainsona beasleyana F.Muell., family Fabaceae (first published in Australas. Chem. Druggist 2(4): 84 (1887)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Swainsona beasleyana, 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.
