Scrambled Egg Tree (Senna surattensis)

Scrambled Egg Tree

Senna surattensis

Bright yellow blooms cascade like scattered sunlight, a cheerful tropical shrub. Ornamental flowering plant; common names: Scrambled Egg Tree, Glaucous Cassia.

Full sun
2–3/week
Moderate
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Plant Needs

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Sunlight Thrives in full sun to partial shade; abundant sunlight promotes maximum flowering
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Watering Water deeply when the top 2–3 cm of soil is dry; avoid waterlogging to prevent root rot
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Temperature Tolerates warm tropical to subtropical temperatures; protect from frost below 10°C
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Characteristics

  • Leaf: Pinnately compound, 6–12 pairs of oval, glaucous green leaflets that fold at night
  • Flower: Clusters of bright yellow, five-petaled blooms measuring 3–4 cm in diameter
  • Stem: Woody, branching stems with smooth, light brown bark
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Care Guide

Watering

Keep soil consistently moist but not saturated

Fertilization

Feed every 2–3 weeks with balanced liquid fertilizer. Avoid over-fertilizing to prevent excessive foliage growth at the expense of flowers

Banana peel compost tea:Compost banana peels for 2–3 weeks, steep in water, dilute 1:20 for root drench; avoid using raw peels to prevent pest infestations
Pruning
  • Prune immediately after flowering to maintain a rounded shape and encourage new bloom growth
  • Remove dead, diseased, or crossing branches to improve airflow and reduce disease risk
  • Trim overgrown stems to control size; avoid heavy pruning during winter dormancy
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Toxicity

Warning: this plant may be toxic.

Pets & Humans

Pets: ASPCA: Contains anthraquinones; toxic if ingested, may cause digestive distress

Humans: Ingestion of large quantities may cause nausea, vomiting, and gastrointestinal upset

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Garden Uses & Culture

Culture: N/A

Usage: Ornamental garden shrub, hedge plant, street tree; traditional medicinal uses in some tropical regions