Tephrosia rosea Plant Care
Tephrosia rosea F.Muell. ex Benth.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Tephrosia rosea, commonly known as Flinders River poison, is a plant species, endemic to northern Australia. It is a shrub with an erect or sprawling habit, growing to between 0.2 and 2 metres high.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–85°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Tephrosia rosea?
Plant Tephrosia rosea in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 13a) and water a young shrub every 7–10 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 Tephrosia rosea Native To?
What Is the Tephrosia rosea?
Tephrosia rosea (Tephrosia rosea) belongs to the Fabaceae family within the Tephrosia genus. Tephrosia rosea is native to northern Australia.
Tephrosia rosea displays an upright, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Tephrosia rosea produces showy clusters of pink, purple, or white pea-like flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Tephrosia rosea?
Water a young or newly planted Tephrosia rosea 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 Tephrosia rosea Need?
Tephrosia rosea thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Tephrosia rosea Prefer?
Tephrosia rosea tolerates temperatures of 60–85°F. Tephrosia rosea prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–85°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Tephrosia rosea?
Well-draining sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Tephrosia rosea to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Tephrosia rosea?
Feed Tephrosia rosea 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 Tephrosia rosea?
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.
Tephrosia rosea is suited to USDA Zone 13a.
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 Tephrosia rosea?
Tephrosia rosea 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 Tephrosia rosea?
Prune Tephrosia rosea 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 Tephrosia rosea in Winter?
Tephrosia rosea 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 Tephrosia rosea?
Tephrosia rosea can be propagated through seeds, division of root ball. Similar propagation techniques also apply to hoary pea plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Tephrosia rosea Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Tephrosia rosea, 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 Tephrosia rosea?
Tephrosia rosea is susceptible to aphids, leafhoppers, 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 Tephrosia rosea Need?
Tephrosia rosea grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Tephrosia rosea is native to northern Australia. In cooler regions, grow Tephrosia rosea as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Tephrosia rosea 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 Tephrosia genus — compare its care with other Tephrosia species on PlantoScan.
Tephrosia is part of the Fabaceae plant family — browse all Fabaceae genera and species.
Tephrosia rosea thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Tephrosia Species
Other Tephrosia species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Tephrosia rosea F.Muell. ex Benth., family Fabaceae (first published in Fl. Austral. 2: 211 (1864)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Tephrosia rosea, 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.
