Wild Senna

Wild Senna, otherwise known as Senna hebecarpa, is part of the American Beauties Native Plant program. A profusion of bright golden blooms filled with pollen attracts many native bumblebees, hummingbirds, and butterflies from July through August. The attractive compound leaves appear as 5-10 pairs of oblong leaflets. Long, black seed pods are abundant in the fall and are enjoyed by many birds. As an important wildlife resource, Wild Senna is the host plant for the Cloudless Sulphur butterfly.  

Wild Senna is excellent when grown in moisture-loving areas of your garden. The horizontal root system provides stability and allows this tall beauty to withstand high winds. Grown in Hardiness Zones 4-8 and reaching heights of 5-6 ft with a 2-3 ft spread, this lovely native also supplies attractive cut flowers used in arrangements to enjoy indoors.

Wild Senna Care

Plant Wild Senna in full to partial sun for the best blooming and balanced plant structure. Wild Senna is naturally found near low wetlands, on river banks, in floodplains, and on the edges of streams, so they thrive being planted in moist, rich, loamy, well-draining soils. This native beauty tolerates sandy, clay, and rocky soils well. 

The seeded pods become mature in early fall and will naturally self-seed when planted in moist soils. Wild Senna is easy to propagate from seed disbursement, or you can divide the plant by root division in early spring. 

Wild Senna Spacing

Depending on its location and landscape application, space plants around 2-3 feet apart to accommodate its full mature width. Due to its vigorous self-seeding nature, you can expect new plantlets the following year unless you remove the seeded pods in the fall.

Wild Senna Information