PlantFun
Plant Needs
Sunlight
Full sun to partial sun; tolerates high heat and disturbed, low-nutrient soils
Watering
Water when the top 2–3 cm of soil dries out; drought-tolerant once established, avoid overwatering
Temperature
Thrives in warm tropical to subtropical temperatures; cannot tolerate frost or prolonged cold below 10°C
Characteristics
- Leaf: Pinnately compound leaves with 4–6 pairs of oblong leaflets; emit a foul odor when crushed
- Flower: Bright yellow, five-petaled flowers in axillary racemes
- Stem: Green, angular, branching stems with fine hairs
Care Guide
Watering
Keep soil evenly moist during active growth periods
Fertilization
Minimal fertilization; apply diluted compost tea once monthly. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers to prevent excessive foliage growth at the expense of flowering
Composted banana peel tea：Soak fully composted banana peels in water for 24 hours; dilute 1:20 with water before applying as a root drench to support flower productionPruning
- Remove spent flower heads before seed set to prevent uncontrolled self-seeding
- Trim back overgrown stems to maintain a compact growth habit and improve airflow
- Pull up entire plants before maturity to control spread in managed garden areas
Toxicity
Warning: this plant may be toxic.
Pets & Humans
Pets: ASPCA: Toxic; anthraquinone glycosides may cause vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, lethargy, and loss of appetite
Humans: Contains anthraquinone glycosides; ingestion can cause nausea, vomiting, and abdominal cramps in large quantities
Garden Uses & Culture
Culture: N/A
Usage: Historically used in traditional medicine for laxative properties, but not recommended due to toxic potential
