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🌍 Natural Habitat
Senna meridionalis originates from southern Madagascar, where it grows in rocky, arid savannas and dry forests with long droughts and brief rainy seasons. It survives intense sun, poor soils, and extreme heat by storing water in its swollen, woody caudex. Understanding this rhythm is key to successful care in cultivation.
☀️ Light
Full sun is essential for compact growth and caudex thickening.
Outdoors: 6–10 hours of direct sunlight per day.
Indoors: use a south or west-facing window or a high-output grow light (≥10,000 lux).
Gradually acclimate to intense sunlight to avoid leaf scorch after winter dormancy.
Tip: The more sunlight it receives, the denser and more sculptural the caudex becomes.
🌡️ Temperature
Ideal range: 75–95°F (24–35°C).
Tolerates short spikes to 105°F (40°C).
Minimum: 45°F (7°C). Keep warm during dormancy.
Avoid cold drafts and frost — below 40°F (4°C) can cause root or stem damage.
💧 Watering
Senna meridionalis follows a distinct wet–dry cycle similar to other Madagascan caudiciforms:
🌱 Active Season (Spring–Summer)
Water thoroughly when soil is completely dry.
Let excess water drain freely — never allow the pot to sit in water.
Frequency: about every 10–14 days, depending on heat, humidity, and pot size.
During this period, leaves will grow rapidly, and the caudex will swell.
🍂 Dormant Season (Fall–Winter)
As temperatures drop and leaves yellow or drop, stop watering almost completely.
Give only a light mist or a few drops around the root zone once a month if the caudex shrinks severely.
Resume normal watering only after new buds or leaves appear in spring.
Overwatering during dormancy is the most common cause of death.
🌾 Soil Mix
Needs a very fast-draining, mineral-based mix.
Example blend for ideal drainage and aeration:
50% pumice or perlite
25% coarse sand or crushed lava rock
15% small gravel or akadama
10% organic material (e.g., fine bark or cactus compost)
Avoid: Peat-based mixes — they hold too much moisture and cause root rot.
Optional: Slightly mound the soil to keep the caudex partially exposed for aesthetic and airflow benefits.
🪴 Potting & Containers
Use a wide, shallow pot to encourage lateral root and caudex expansion.
Terracotta pots are ideal for their breathability.
Repot every 2–3 years, preferably at the start of spring when new growth begins.
Handle roots carefully — they are fibrous but can be brittle.
🍽️ Fertilizing
Fertilize only during active growth (spring through summer).
Use a balanced, diluted fertilizer (¼ strength cactus or bonsai formula).
Feed once a month.
Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers — they promote leaf growth over caudex expansion.
For better caudex formation, some growers use a low-nitrogen, high-potassium formula.
🌿 Pruning & Shaping
Prune in late winter or early spring before growth resumes.
Trim leggy stems to encourage branching and a compact, tree-like form.
The plant tolerates hard pruning well and will resprout from older wood.
Older bark becomes gnarled and decorative over time.
🌸 Flowering
Produces bright yellow flowers on new growth, typically in late spring or early summer.
Flowers are small but vibrant, adding contrast against the gray caudex and green foliage.
Flowering is more likely when the plant receives full sun and a pronounced dry rest period.
