Cassia fistula aka Golden Shower Tree

Taxonomy

Cassia fistula, also known as golden shower, purging cassia, Indian laburnum, Kani Konna, or pudding-pipe tree, is a flowering plant in the family Fabaceae. The species is native to the Indian subcontinent and adjacent regions of Southeast Asia and is the official state flower of Kerala state in India. It is a popular ornamental plant and is also used in herbal medicine. The cassia tree comes in evergreen, semi-evergreen, and deciduous types with brilliant pink, orange, red, white, or yellow flowers, with yellow being the most common. The flowers appear in clusters along densely packed racemes that can reach two feet long on a mature growing cassia tree. The light green leaves of the cassia tree are pinnate with six to twelve pairs of long oval leaflets and grow to two feet or more. Once flowering is over, the flowers are replaced with seed pods. The golden shower tree, which belongs to the Cassia genus, is native to Southeastern Asia, Central and South America, Northern Australia, and the Pacific Islands. It is a super rare houseplant that is not challenging to grow and needs regular watering to thrive. It does best in long-lasting, direct light and should be less than one foot from a window.

Common names

Golden Shower Tree, Amaltas, Indian Laburnum

How to care for Golden Shower Tree

Difficulty

Golden Shower Tree requires a bit more attention and knowledge to thrive, making it a suitable plant for those with some gardening experience.

Water

Golden Shower Tree should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Lighting

Golden Shower Tree requires abundant, bright and direct light. Placing it less than one foot from a window is the best way to make sure the plant receives enough light to survive and thrive. Depending on your region, however, the current weather can affect the placement of the plant in your home. For example, in some areas the sun may be too direct and intense, so it's best to place it farther away from the window. You may also need to adjust your placement according to the season as the sunlight can change intensity over the course of the year. If you live in a region with significant temperature fluctuations, such as a desert, you may need to place the plant a bit farther away from the window to avoid extreme heat or cold. With some care and attention, your Golden Shower Tree will be sure to bring you many years of beauty and enjoyment.

Dormancy

During the cold period, it is common for Golden Shower Tree to go dormant and their growth may slow down, so waterings should be spaced out more during this period.

Toxicity

Ploi's records do not contain confirmed information on the toxicity of this particular plant. In the event of accidental ingestion of plant material with questionable toxicity by you, a family member, or a pet, it is always a good idea to consult a healthcare professional.

Region of origin

Golden Shower Tree’s native range is E. Asia - Indian subcontinent. Naturalized in other areas of the tropics, including east Africa.


More info:
Wikipedia