Cassia plants can be either hardy perennial or annuals.
They generally reach an height of 60 cm to 1.2m (2 to 4 feet), and often resemble small perennial trees.
Cassia javanica - Pink shower tree by Tatters.
Some Cassia plant common names include Wild Senna, Candle bush (Cassia alata) American Senna, Golden shower tree (Cassia fistula) and Partridge tree.
When in bloom., Cassia carry small pea shaped yellow flowers.
Senna Macranthera by Mauroguanandi.
Cassia fistula (Golden Shower Tree / Purging Cassia), photograph by Forest and Kim Starr; CC.
Cassia leptophylla (Gold Medallion Tree), photograph by Tracie Hall; CC.
Cassia javanica (Java Cassia / Pink Shower / Rainbow Shower Tree), photograph by Forest and Kim Starr; CC.
Cassia alata syn. Senna alata
Cassia alata (Emperor's candlesticks / Candle bush / Christmas candles), photograph by Forest and Kim Starr; CC.
Cassia angustifolia syn. Senna alexandrina
Cassia angustifolia (Senna), picture by Lalithamba; CC.
If planning to grow a Cassia plant outdoors from the off, it is best to sow out the seed in either Summer or autumn. Do so at a depth of 3 mm (1/8th inch).
Wild Senna-like species should be grown in soil that has good drainage. Ideally locate in either a sunny or partly shaded part of the garden.
When growing Cassia seedlings indoors first, then you will first need to chip the seeds. Following chipping,soak them in warm water for three hours before sowing.
They should be planted about 7 weeks before you transplant the seedlings outdoors. Which should be done in the autumn, or after the last frost of the spring.
When putting the seedlings out, they should be spaced at about 60 to 90 cm apart (24 to 36 inches).
Once established Cassia requires regular fertilisation and watering. Ideally they should be thinned in the autumn.
I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Cassia plants. You may also enjoy the following Gardener's HQ growing guides: How to grow Mimosa pudica, Grow Carrots, Sprouting Mung Beans, and Cercis canadensis plants.