🌺 How to Grow Cassia marginata (Red Shower Tree) from Seeds

Also known as:

• Hindi: लाल अमलतास / लाल कचनार

• Tamil: செம்பூ அமல்தாஸ்

• Telugu: ఎర్ర కంచన

• Malayalam: ചുവപ്പ് കാഞ്ചനം

• Kannada: ಕೆಂಪು ಕಿಂಚಣ

• English: Red Shower Tree / Cassia marginata

1. 🌱 Choose the Right Season

• Best time to sow: Early spring (Feb–Apr) or early monsoon (June–July)

• Germinates best at 20°C to 30°C

• Avoid cold and frost-prone periods for seedling stage

2. 🌾 Seed Pre-treatment

• Seeds have a hard coat — scarify gently or soak in warm water (not boiling) for 24 hours

• Scarification tip: Rub lightly with sandpaper or nick the seed coat with a blade

• Soaking improves germination success

3. 🪴 Prepare the Growing Medium

• Use a mix of:

  • 1 part garden soil

  • 1 part river sand

  • 1 part compost or cocopeat

• pH: Slightly acidic to neutral (6.0–7.0)

• Ensure well-draining medium to prevent damping-off

4. 🌿 Sowing the Seeds

• Sow seeds ½ inch (1.2 cm) deep

• In trays or pots: maintain 1–2 inch spacing

• Cover lightly with growing mix and water gently

• Place in bright, shaded spot during early germination

5. 💧 Watering

• Mist daily or water lightly to keep the soil moist

• Avoid soggy soil — ensure drainage

• Reduce watering slightly after germination

6. 🌞 Germination

• Germinates in 10–20 days (can vary based on seed freshness and warmth)

• Thin seedlings once 2–3 inches tall to avoid overcrowding

• Keep in partial shade until 6–8 inches tall

7. 🌤️ Sunlight & Temperature

• Once established, shift to full sun (6–8 hrs daily)

• Thrives in tropical and subtropical climates

• Can tolerate drought and urban pollution once mature

8. 🌱 Transplanting

• Transplant when seedlings are 8–10 inches tall

• Space 8–10 feet apart if planting in the ground

• Choose a spot with good sunlight and air circulation

9. 🌿 Fertilization

• Mix compost or cow dung at the time of transplanting

• Apply organic fertilizer or vermicompost every 2–3 months during first year

• Avoid over-fertilizing — Cassias grow well in low to medium fertility soils

10. 🛡️ Pest & Disease Care

• Generally low pest issues

• Occasionally susceptible to leaf caterpillars or mealybugs

• Use neem oil spray or soap water every 15 days if needed

11. 🌳 Growth & Maintenance

• Grows 15–25 feet tall with an elegant canopy

• Produces stunning red flowers in clusters during late spring/summer

• Deciduous or semi-deciduous depending on climate

• Requires minimal pruning — remove dead or weak branches annually

🌟 Benefits of Cassia marginata (Red Shower Tree)

• Ornamental flowering tree for gardens, roadsides, and parks

• Attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies

• Tolerant to drought and urban conditions

• Fast-growing, low-maintenance tree

• Enhances biodiversity and aesthetic value