How to Grow Crotalaria Cunninghamii

Last updated on June 5th, 2024 at 12:01 pm

Image Credits: D. Blumer.

Learn How to grow Crotalaria Cunninghamii. This is a truly a uniquely humming bird-like shaped shrub found throughout the Onslow region of Australia. The Green Bird flower is also known as Crotalaria cunninghamii, a part of the Fabaceae family.  Crotalaria Cunninghamii plant is a self-propagating upright shrub that has velvety leaves and a corky trunk.

Other Common Names:

  • GREEN BIRD FLOWER
  • PARROT PEA
  • REGAL BIRD FLOWER

Crotalaria Cunninghamii is a perennial plant that is drought-tolerant when grown by seed. Crotalaria Cunninghamii has a huge range of benefits from minimal watering to flowering year-round. The Green Birdflower has numerous medicinal properties. Users of this plant use its medicinal properties to treat eye infections, ear-ache, swelling, and headaches.

Without proper handling knowledge, the plant can also cause inflammation to the skin. For that reason, these plants are best handled by experienced growers.

How to Grow Crotalaria Cunninghamii Plant

  • Planting: When planting the Crotalaria Cunninghamii plant, you would want to dig a hole at least twice the size of the potting. Water the Crotalaria Cunninghamii seeds in its pot then plant.
  • Light: They can grow in full sun, full shade or semi-shade. This plant will require 8 or more hours of direct sunlight is needed every day for the plant to survive.
  • Watering: They require minimal watering. However, if newly planted water daily for up to two months using an efficient dripping system, then water the Crotalaria Cunninghamii plant once weekly for a year.
  • Mulching: Organic Mulching improves the density of the roots and helps retain water. It also reduces erosion and weeds.
  • Soil: Crotalaria Cunninghamii plant prefers well-drained soil. It can also grow on sand dunes and plains.
  • Fertilizer: Fertilizers aren’t normally required by the Crotalaria Cunninghamii plant, however,  If you do decide to use a fertilizer, make sure that it is organic.
  • Pruning & Trimming: Plants like the Crotalaria Cunninghamii plant appreciates a light trim to keep their health, growth, and flowering.

Growing benefits:

  • Crotalaria Cunninghamii plants are drought-tolerant and require minimal watering which helps you to conserve water supply.
  • They are low sustenance.
  • They do not require fertilizer or pesticides.
  • They are good at adapting to their surroundings and are visually unique and pleasing.
  • They provide a flowering annually.

Read also: Planting and Growing Aerial Monstera Roots