Candle Bush Seeds (Senna alata, syn. Cassia alata) – Tropical shrub with striking yellow candle-like flower spikes. Known for its beauty and traditional medicinal uses.

Minimum: 20+ Seeds

Bring a touch of the tropics to your garden with the Candle Bush (Senna alata), a striking evergreen shrub admired for its dramatic, vertical yellow flower spikes that resemble glowing candles. Native to tropical regions, this fast-growing plant thrives in full sun and well-draining soils, making it an excellent choice for gardeners looking to create bold focal points in beds, borders, or tropical-themed landscapes.

Its bright yellow blooms provide a cheerful, eye-catching display that attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies, enhancing the ecological health of your garden. The fine green foliage adds contrast and texture, making Candle Bush a visually stunning addition to both tropical and subtropical garden designs.

🌿 Why Grow Candle Bush?

✔ Striking Ornamental Value

The tall, yellow flower spikes of Senna alata create a dramatic visual impact in any garden, from tropical landscapes to sunny borders. Its vertical growth habit makes it ideal as a focal point or accent plant.

✔ Pollinator-Friendly

Candle Bush flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, supporting pollinator populations and contributing to biodiversity in your outdoor spaces.

✔ Fast-Growing & Resilient

This tropical shrub establishes quickly, tolerates heat, and grows vigorously under optimal sunlight, offering long-term garden beauty with minimal maintenance.

✔ Versatile Landscaping Applications

• Tropical and subtropical garden beds

• Sunny borders or mixed shrub plantings

• Pollinator gardens to attract bees and butterflies

• Container planting for patios or terraces in warmer climates

• Ornamental screens and privacy hedges

🌱 Growing Candle Bush from Seeds

Seed Preparation & Germination

Candle Bush seeds have a hard outer coat that benefits from scarification or soaking in warm water for 12–24 hours before planting. This step enhances germination rates and ensures robust seedlings.

Sowing Instructions

1. Use a well-draining seed-starting mix.

2. Plant seeds just beneath the soil surface, about ¼ inch deep.

3. Keep soil moist but not waterlogged, providing bright indirect sunlight.

4. Germination typically occurs within 2–4 weeks, though some seeds may take longer.

5. Transplant seedlings outdoors when they are strong enough to handle full sun and warm temperatures.

Plant Care

• Sunlight: Full sun for best flowering and growth.

• Soil: Well-draining; tolerant of sandy or loamy soils.

• Watering: Moderate until established; prefers consistent moisture in tropical climates.

• Pruning: Light pruning after flowering promotes bushier growth.

• Zones: Best suited for USDA Zones 10–12, or grown in containers in cooler regions.

🌿 Mature Plant Characteristics

• Botanical Name: Senna alata

• Common Names: Candle Bush, Ringworm Bush, Candelabra Plant

• Plant Type: Evergreen tropical shrub

• Height: 6–10 ft (1.8–3 m)

• Spread: 4–6 ft (1.2–1.8 m)

• Foliage: Green, pinnate leaves with a feathery appearance

• Flowers: Bright yellow, candle-like spikes; long bloom period

• Sunlight: Full sun

• Soil: Well-draining, sandy or loamy soils

• Water Needs: Moderate; prefers regular watering in warm climates

• Wildlife Benefits: Attracts pollinators, enhancing garden biodiversity

🌎 Uses & Landscape Applications

• Bold tropical accent or focal plant in sunny gardens

• Attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators

• Perfect for sun-loving borders, shrub beds, or container planting

• Adds dramatic vertical interest with candle-like yellow flower spikes

• Low-maintenance shrub for gardeners in tropical and subtropical regions

Note: Candle Bush is traditionally recognized in folk practices for certain medicinal uses, but these seeds are sold for ornamental planting only. Do not consume, extract, or use for health purposes unless licensed and authorized.

⚠️ Important Compliance & Safety Notes

• For ornamental and landscaping purposes only.

• Not intended for human consumption or therapeutic use.

• Seeds may require scarification for optimum germination.

• Best grown in full sun, well-draining soils, with moderate watering for initial establishment.