Start the seeds in very early spring with the goal of planting healthy seedlings in the garden after all threat of frost has passed. Soak the seeds in water for 24 hours.
Sow seeds in containers filled with well-draining yet moist potting soil and only co er it with a dusting of soil. Place it in a bright, warm location and keep it evenly moist.
Harden off the seedlings before planting them outside.
The plant commonly known as popcorn cassia is a legume (family Fabaceae) from tropical central and eastern Africa that is common in disturbed areas, but it is also grown as an ornamental plant world-wide. The species Senna didymobotrya has also been used as a cover crop or green manure crop in some locations. It was previously classified in the genus Cassia, and that has remained as part of its common name. The other part of the common name comes from the scent of the foliage when rubbed – often described as that of buttered popcorn, but other interpretations of the smell include the less appealing “mice” or “wet dog”. Although this tropical plant is only hardy in zones 9-11, because of its rapid growth and habit of flowering when small it is easily used as a seasonal annual in cool climates.
Popcorn cassia is a semi-deciduous, multi-branching shrub or small tree that can grow up to 25 feet tall, but generally remains much shorter (6-10 feet tall). When grown as an annual it may only get a couple of feet tall.
