senna

(Pro - nun - see - ashun )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus includes both evergreen and deciduous shrubs and trees that need full sun to light shade and little to moderate water. These will attract butterflies and other pollinators to your garden, and are grown for their winter and springtime show of flowers. Pods follow blooms and can create a litter problem if the tree is not pruned right after flowering fades. These plants are wonderful for screening, massing, and as background plantings. 

senna Species and Varietals

The genus Senna is a member of the plant family Fabaceae and includes between 260 and 350 species. The best growing zones for Senna vary depending on the species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Senna acclinis (Rainforest Cassia, Brush Senna)
These shrubs are endemic to eastern Australia, and produces bright yellow-golden flowers in spring and summertime. These plants reach up to 10 feet tall, and are great pollinator plants. 

Senna alata (Emperor's Candlesticks, Candle Bush, Candelabra Bush, Christmas Candles, Empress Candle Plant, Ringworm Shrub)
This species is native to the areas between Mexico, the West Indies, and Paraguay, and is considered an invasive species in some areas of the world. These shrubs reach between 10 and 13 feet tall when mature and have leaves that close up in the dark. Flowers are yellow and bloom in upright infloresences. These plants are commonly called Ringworm Bushes due to their antifungal properties.

Senna alexandria (Alexandrian Senna, Egyptian Senna, Tinnevelly Senna, East Indian Senna, Sene de la Palthe)
This shrubby plant reaches between 20 and 40 inches tall when mature. Flowers are yellow and foliage is green. These shrubs are native to Egypt and Sudan, and is widely cultivated in India and Somalia.

Senna armata (Spiny Senna, Desert Senna)
These plants are native to desert regions around the intersection of California, Nevada, Arizona, and Baja California. They prefer to grow in sandy or rocky habitats, and reach up to 3 feet tall

Senna artemisioides (Cassia aremisioides) (Feathery Cassia, Silver Cassia)
This species does best in zones 8, 9, 12-16 and 18-23 and are native to Australia. These shrubs are evergreen, and have gray leaves and yellow flowers in late fall, winter and springtime, though blooms often hold on through the beginning of summer. Heavy seeder, but very drought tolerant (though it flowers better with moderate to regular water).  

Senna atomaria (Flor de San Jose)
This species is native to Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, Colombia and Venezuela. These shrubs or small trees have a multitude of uses, and reach about 6.5 to 40 feet tall when mature . Flowers are yellow. 

Senna auriculata (Matura Tea Tree, Avaram. Ranawara, Avaram Senna)
This shrub is the state flower of Telangana, India, and is native to India and Sri Lanka. These shrubs have smooth, cinnamon colored bark and green foliage. Flowers are large and bright yellow. These trees are commonly used for landscaping along roadways and in gardens, and are tolerant of drought and dry conditions but not cold temperatures. 

Senna bicapsularis (Rambling Senna, Winter Cassia, Christmas Bush, Money Bush, Yellow Candlewood)
This species is native to South America and the West Indies, and is a semi-evergreen shrub that reaches between 6.5 and 60 feet tall and has a low, spreading crown. These plants are considered invasive in some areas of the world, including East Africa, the Galapagos Islands, and New Caledonia. 

Senna circinnata (Coiled Cassia)
This species is endemic to eastern Australia, and forms a shrub or small tree that reaches about 7 feet tall when  mature. Flowers are yellow, and appear in wintertime in the plant's native range. Leaves are very thin. The specific epithet of this species refers to the flattened, spirally coiled pods that follow flowers.

Senna clavigera (Pepper Leaf Senna)
Endemic to eastern Australia, these plants reach up to 5 feet tall. Flowers are yellow and appear in summertime, and foliage is green. Pods that follow flowers are dark brown. 

Senna corymbosa (Cassia corymbosa) (Flowery Senna, Argentine Senna, Buttercup Bush, Tree Senna)
This species takes the form of an evergreen shrub, and does well in zones 12, 13, 21-24, H1 and H2. These shrubs are native to South America and reach 10 feet tall and a little wider. Leaves are dark green, and flowers bloom in round clusters in spring through fall. Self-seeds profusely.

Senna didymobotrya (African Senna, Popcorn Senna, Candelabra Tree, Peanut Butter Cassia)
These plants are used worldwide as ornamentals, cover crops, and green manure. It is native to Africa, and forms a fragrant shrub that reaches about 16 feet tall when mature. The common names for these plants refer to the various smells they give off. 

Senna gaudichaudii (Kolomana, Blunt-Leaved Senna)
Native to various Pacific Islands, southeast Asia, and Queensland, Australia, this species produces yellow flowers on a shrub or tree that typically reaches between 7 and 10 feet tall when mature. Foliage is green.

Senna hamersleyensis (Creeping Senna)
This species is endemic to northern Western Australia and is an erect, spreading to prostrate shrub with yellow flowers. Foliage is green. 

Senna marilandica (Maryland Senna, Maryland Wild Senna, Wild Senna)
This flowering perennial plant is native to the United States, and blooms in summertime. Flowers are yellow, and foliage is green. These plants can reach about 6 feet tall.

​Senna multiglandulosa (Cassia tomentosa) (Wooly Senna, Downy Senna, Glandular Senna)
This evergreen shrub grows well in zones 13, 17, and 22-24 and is native to tropical regions of the world. It reaches 12-15 feet tall and wide, producing upright clusters of yellow flowers at branch tips in winter and early springtime. Leaves are dark green on top, white and hairy beneath. This species needs regular water.

Senna multijuga (November Shower, False Sicklepod)
These trees are native wet, tropical areas in Latin America, and is an introduced species in Africa, India, Indonesia, China, Australia, and Hawai'i. They can reach 33 feet tall when mature, and are used in restoration projects, as ornamental plantings, and as street trees.

​Senna nemophila (Senna artemisiodes filifolia, Cassia eremophila) (Desert Cassia)
This evergreen shrub does well in zones 12-24 and is an Australian native. Foliage is green, but otherwise this species is very similar in growth habit and flowering to Senna artemisioides.

Senna occidentalis (Coffee Senna, Styptic Weed, Septicweed)
This offensive-smelling weedy shrub is native to the southern United States, Mexico, and South America. It typically grows to 4-7 feet tall when mature, and produces yellow flowers. These plants are poisonous to cattle and other mammals.

Senna oliogophylla (Outback Cassia)
Native to Australia, this species reaches 5 feet tall and wide and has glossy grayish-green leaves and red stems. Springtime flowers are yellow, and followed by attractive reddish brown seed pods. Needs excellent drainage to perform well.

Senna pendula (Easter Cassia, Christmas Senna, Winter Senna, Climbing Cassia, Golden Shower, Pendant Senna, Valamuerto)
This species is used around the world as an ornamental plant, and is considered a weed in Australia. These plants are native to South America, and is a fast-growing, scrambling shrub with arching stems and branches. Easter Cassia typically reaches between 6.5 and 23 feet tall when mature. There are many subspecies.

​Senna phyllodinea (Senna artemisioides petiolaris, Cassia phyllodinea) (Silver Leaf Cassia)
This species of Senna does well in zones 12-24 and is native to Australia. It quickly reaches 4-67 feet tall and just as wide, with silvery-grey leaves that are curved. Flowers are yellow and bloom from fall through spring.

​Senna splendida (Cassia splendida) (Golden Wonder Senna)
This species takes the form of an evergreen shrub and grows well in zones 12, 13, 21-24, H1 and H2. This species has an open habit and tops out around 9-12 feet tall and 6-10 feet wide. Leaves are bright green and yellow flowers bloom at branch tips in fall and winter. Heavy seed pod producer. Variety 'Golden' reaches 18 feet tall and 15 feet wide, and has large gold flowers.

Senna surattensis (Cassia surattensis) (Scrambled Eggs, Kolomana)
Native to tropical areas of Asia, Polynesia, and Australia, this evergreen species grows best in zones 19-24, H1 and H2. Commonly used as street trees in tropical regions of the world, in California this shrub or tree reaches just 6-8 feet tall and wide, and is used as a specimen shrub in gardens. Blooms pop almost year-round at the ends of branches.

Senna wislizenii (Cassia wislizenii)
This species, grown as a deciduous shrub in zones 10-13, is native to southern Arizona, Texas and Mexico. It has a rounded shape and reaches 5-8 feet tall and 5-10 feet wide on average. Branches are rigid and upright, clothed in bright green leaves and holding clusters of yellow flowers at the tip in early summer through fall.

Caring for and pruning senna Trees

Propagation

Problems and Pests

Gallery

Camellias are great candidates to be grown as container plants on your patio.
A field of thea sinensis
Camellia hiemalis 'Shishi Gashira'

Videos

A video all about growing camellias successfully
Propagating camellias

Resources

Wikipedia: Senna
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 601, Senna
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or photos you’d like to add to the gallery, please let me know by sending me a message using the button below!
​