Feathery cassia is an evergreen shrub with fine leaves and branches that boast a silver-gray tone. This drought-tolerant plant is incredibly low-maintenance—it survives on just two deep irrigations or rains per year and thrives when watered about once every other month. In fact, too much water can be detrimental to the plant, changing its rounded, upright form to one that is floppy and lackluster.
Feathery cassia performs best when planted in loose, well-draining, soil and in a spot that boasts full sunlight. In late winter to early spring, the plant erupts in vibrant yellow flowers, which stay on the stems through early summer. Feathery cassia thrives in a desert environment, providing visual balance next to more structured selections like cacti and succulents.
Feathery Cassia Overview
Where to Plant Feathery Cassia
Feathery cassia performs best when planted in a location that boasts loose, well-draining soil and full sunlight. Though the plant can tolerate many different soil conditions, it prefers sandy or rocky soil with a neutral pH. This Australian native looks particularly striking when planted in groups of three to five specimens. Use it as a foundation planting near a building where it will add color and interest throughout the year or partner feathery cassia with other drought-resistant, heat-loving plants for a color- and texture-rich combination that welcomes wildlife. Keep in mind that feathery cassia attracts bees, so you may want to consider planting it away from outdoor entertainment zones, like a patio.
How and When to Plant Feathery Cassia
Plant feathery cassia in the early spring or late fall, when the weather is milder in hot desert climates. The shrub grows between 4 feet and 6 feet wide and should be given clearance to do so when planted near buildings, structures, or companion plants. Space several plants about 6 fee apart.
Dig a hole twice as wide as the nursery container and just as deep. Remove the shrub from the pot and place it in the hole. Backfill with soil, firming as you do so. Water deeply to settle the soil. Feathery cassia will need to be watered more frequently until it is established in your landscape.
Feathery cassia can also be grown as a container shrub, though its growth will not have the same reach as it would when treated as a landscape plant.
Feathery Cassia Care Tips
Feathery cassia is beloved for its ease of care and showy yellow flowers. In general, growers of this shrub can expect minimal effort with maximum impact—this is a plant that doesn't mind a little extra sun or a little less water.
Light
Feathery cassia does best when planted in a location that touts full sunlight at least six to eight hours a day. Too little sunlight and the plant may fail to thrive, growing slowly and producing fewer blooms.
Soil and Water
While feathery cassia thrives in a variety of different types of soil, the plant does best when located in a spot with loose, well-draining soil that is sandy or rocky. A neutral pH level is preferred, though the shrub also tolerates alkaline soil.
Once established, feathery cassia is incredibly drought-tolerant. It prefers minimal watering in the summer months, surviving best on a few deep waterings throughout the year. Always allow the soil to dry out completely between waterings; if you notice the leaves of the shrub turning yellow, that's a sure sign that it's been overwatered. When in doubt, withhold water and allow the plant to be watered exclusively by rainfall.
Temperature and Humidity
Feathery cassia is hardy in USDA Zones 8 through 11 and is most typically found in desert climates and landscapes. That said, the shrub can tolerate occasional colder temperatures, including frost for a short period of time. Any temperatures below 20 degrees Fahrenheit are likely to damage the plant permanently, especially if it is young or has recently been planted.
Fertilizer
In almost all instances, feathery cassia will thrive on its own and does not require any fertilizer or soil amendments to grow properly or bloom. If you notice your shrub struggling to establish itself, you can treat it with a mild fertilizer aimed at desert plants and cacti.
Pruning
Feather cassia grows at a moderate rate and does not require pruning unless you aim to tame its size for your particular landscape. Otherwise, the plant will typically grow into a pleasing natural form. If you do choose to prune feathery cassia, do so in late winter, while the plant is still dormant; shearing the shrub any other time of year may result in removing forthcoming flower buds.
Pests and Problems
While feathery cassia is a relatively pest-free plant, you may run into a few occasional issues with this shrub in your landscape. The most common pitfall of a feathery cassia plant is overwatering—if you notice the plant rotting at the root, its stems wilting, or its leaves turning yellow, that's a good sign that it's getting too much water. Similarly, if your shrub is located in a spot that does not get enough light, it may fail to thrive; signs of such include weak stems and little-to-no flowering.
Feathery cassia attracts very few, if any, pests. Bees and other pollinators will be attracted to the plant when it blooms; if you or someone in your home is allergic, take care to locate your feathery cassia plants away from your common outdoor entertaining areas.
How to Propagate
While feathery cassia is most commonly purchased as an established plant through a nursery or garden center, it is possible to cultivate it yourself using seeds, division, or root cuttings. Any attempts to propagate or plant feathery cassia should be done in late winter or early spring when the heat is mild. Water the new plants or seedlings weekly until the plant is established, at which point you can follow the normal watering cadence recommended for the species.
When starting feathery cassia from seed, it's important to soak the seeds overnight before planting to jump-start germination. Plant seeds in moist soil, surface sowing them before pressing them gently into the soil (making sure not to bury them more than 1/8 inch deep). Feathery cassia will germinate quickly and can be direct-sown in late winter for blooms the same year.
Dividing an established feathery cassia plant is also a great way to increase the plant's prominence in your landscape. To do so, break the plant apart using a clean spade or sharp shovel, digging up one-half or one-third of the plant and relocating it in your landscape. The plant you choose for division should be established and have bloomed for at least a season already; like planting, division is best done in late winter or early spring.
Feathery Cassia Companion Plants
To highlight its easy-going nature and desert appeal, pair your feathery cassia plant with species that require minimal water and complement its vibrant blooms. Some options include:
Woolly Stemodia
A drought-tolerant perennial, woolly stemodia thrives in hot, dry spots and is characterized by silver-green leaves and petite purple flowers. The petite plant provides beautiful ground coverage, allowing feathery cassia to take center stage above.
Prickly Pear Cactus
Native to Mexico and the U.S. Southwest, prickly pear cactus is an excellent choice for foundation plantings, landscape beds, property borders, and curbside plantings. When paired with whimsical feathery cassia, prickly pear cactus adds structure and graphic visual interest to a desert-themed garden. The plant even erupts in its own equally vibrant yellow flowers (which can also be pink).
Gaura
A tough native perennial, gaura boasts long stems and delicate blossoms that will attract butterflies and other pollinators to your yard. Hardy to zones 5 through 10, it thrives in many of the same hot zones as feathery cassia, and the two combined help growers achieve a whimsical, whispy garden.
Frequently Asked Questions
- How fast does feathery cassia grow?
- How often does feathery cassia bloom?