Partridge Pea, Sleeping Plant, Beach Sensitive Pea

Chamaecristafasciculata

Family
Fabaceae (fab-AY-see-ee)
Genus
Chamaecrista (kam-ay-KRIS-ta)
Species
fasciculata (fas-sik-yoo-LAH-tuh)
Synonym
Cassia fasciculata
Cassia chamaecrista
Chamaecrista deeringiana
Chamaecrista fasciculata var. fasciculata
Cassia littoralis
Sun Exposure
Sun to Partial Shade
Height
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Spacing
24-36 in. (60-90 cm)
Hardiness
Not Applicable
Danger
N/A
Bloom Color
Bright Yellow
Bloom Time
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall
Mid Fall
Other Details
Category
Annuals
Water Requirements
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Foliage Color
Blue-Green
Where to Grow
Bloom Characteristics
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Bloom Size
Other details
Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Propagation Methods
From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall
From seed; sow indoors before last frost
From seed; direct sow after last frost
Scarify seed before sowing
Self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season
Seed Collecting
Allow pods to dry on plant; break open to collect seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Atmore, Alabama

Midland City, Alabama

Dyer, Arkansas

Quaker Hill, Connecticut

Rehoboth Beach, Delaware

Archer, Florida

Bartow, Florida

Deland, Florida

Gainesville, Florida

Sarasota, Florida

Sebring, Florida

West Palm Beach, Florida

Covington, Georgia

Stone Mountain, Georgia

Pukalani, Hawaii

Champaign, Illinois

Glen Ellyn, Illinois

Yale, Iowa

Somerset, Kentucky

Hastings, Michigan

Minneapolis, Minnesota

Florence, Mississippi

Mccomb, Mississippi

Cole Camp, Missouri

Cleveland, Ohio

Glouster, Ohio

Hulbert, Oklahoma

Pocola, Oklahoma

Unionville, Pennsylvania

Summerville, South Carolina

Middleton, Tennessee

Arlington, Texas

Austin, Texas

College Station, Texas

Fort Worth, Texas

Georgetown, Texas

Hutchins, Texas

Iola, Texas

Killeen, Texas

League City, Texas

Lufkin, Texas

San Antonio, Texas

Santa Fe, Texas

Grand Mound, Washington

Rochester, Washington

Westfield, Wisconsin

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Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

9
positives
1
neutral
1
negative
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R
Downingtown, PA | July 2015 | positive

It is wonderful for restorations of native meadow or prairie or very naturalistic landscapes. It may be too aggressive for neat conventio...Read More

C
(Zone 5a) | August 2014 | positive

Our plants grew from a tallgrass prairie seed mix for clay subsoil. We tried keeping the area mowed per the suggestions given with the s...Read More

K
Alachua, FL (Zone 8b) | September 2012 | positive

This has formed a seasonal hedge along my very dry, sandy, infertile driveway. It attracts hordes of native wasps and bees along with su...Read More

E
Minneapolis, MN | October 2011 | positive

I planted this last year as a seedling from the Friends School Plant Sale. It produced pods that year, but the seeds in them looked like ...Read More

P
Cleveland, OH | August 2011 | positive

Awesome performer! Mine grow to 4 1/2 feet and act as an annual, herbaceous hedge! Best to collect seed pods before they pop or you will ...Read More

B
Watseka, IL (Zone 5a) | February 2009 | negative

I beleive this plant is also known as fishbean and is toxic to livestock. It is highly invasive to pastures and sandy areas.

S
Timberville, VA | August 2008 | positive

I planted a "low-growing wild flower and grass seed mix" from Ernst Conservation Seeds in Pa. not knowing much but wanting to see the pla...Read More

S
League City, TX (Zone 8b) | September 2007 | positive

I had one of these pop up in my flower bed. Since I didn't know if it was a tree, I thought that I had better move it. Someone else said...Read More

T
Mercer, PA (Zone 5a) | October 2004 | neutral

Partridge Pea is a warm season annual legume which can grow from 1 to 4 feet tall. Flowers have 5 petals which are bright yellow. The low...Read More

B
San Antonio, TX (Zone 9a) | July 2004 | positive

This is such a unique and beautiful plant, and I have been trying to figure out the name of it since I moved into my home 4 years ago (un...Read More

F
Josephine, Arlington, TX (Zone 8a) | February 2004 | positive

Partridge Pea is a lovely annual that will self seed and bloom until frost.
The foliage is compound and very fine resembling a Mim...Read More

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