Seed Treatment:
• Scarification required – gently rub seeds with sandpaper or nick with a blade to break the hard outer coat
• Soak seeds in warm water for 12–24 hours prior to sowing to soften and activate germination
When to Sow:
• Indoors: Start seeds 6–8 weeks before last frost
• Outdoors: Sow directly in warm climates after last frost, when soil temperatures are consistently above 65°F (18°C)
Light Requirements:
• Requires full sun (at least 6–8 hours daily) for vigorous growth
Soil Requirements:
• Prefers sandy, well-draining soil
• Tolerates poor or dry soils
• Ideal pH range: 6.0–8.0
Sowing Instructions:
• Sow seeds ½ inch (1.25 cm) deep
• Keep soil evenly moist but not soggy
• Ideal temperature for germination: 70–85°F (21–29°C)
• Germination time: 10–21 days
Watering:
• Water regularly during early growth
• Once established, it becomes drought-tolerant; water during prolonged dry spells
Spacing:
• Space plants 18–24 inches (45–60 cm) apart to allow bushy growth
Growing Tips:
• A fast-growing annual or short-lived perennial shrub
• Produces yellow, pea-like flowers and feathery compound leaves
• Commonly cultivated for its medicinal leaves and pods, traditionally used as a natural laxative
• Ideal for herbal gardens, warm-climate gardens, and sunny borders
• Grows best in tropical to warm temperate climates (USDA Zones 9–11)
• Harvest leaves when mature, typically 2–3 months after sowing