Prostrate kowhai
Sophora prostrata · Fabaceae
📷 C T Johansson · CC BY-SA 3.0
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around prostrate kowhai and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Scientific name
- Sophora prostrata
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Form
- Shrub
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- May to July, yellow flowers
- Mature size
- Approximately 100 cm tall
- Growth
- Moderate
- Origin
- New Zealand
- Hardiness
- Moderate (mild climates)
- Water needs
- Low
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability low.
Expert tips
The key tip
Sophora prostrata thrives in lean, dry soil; regular fertilizing makes it lazy and reduces flowering. Plant it once and forget about it: it only loves neglect.
The common mistake
Watering regularly "just to be safe".
The pro's trick
Sow seeds lightly scarified with hot water: seedlings are more vigorous than cuttings and flower younger.
Care
Exposure
The prostrate sophora develops best in full sun, which promotes generous and compact flowering. It tolerates light shade, but produces fewer flowers in such conditions. Place it in a well-ventilated location to prevent stagnant moisture.
Watering
Water moderately after planting, then gradually reduce: this species tolerates drought once established. Check that the soil dries between waterings to prevent root rot. During active growth, water more; in winter, reduce watering considerably.
Soil
Prefer well-draining, light and rather poor soil. A soil mix enriched with sand or gravel works perfectly. Avoid compact or overly wet soils, which cause root problems.
Pruning and shaping
Prune lightly after flowering (July-August) to maintain a compact, airy shape. Remove dead or diseased branches. Moderate pruning extends the shrub's vigor without harming the following year's flowering.
Fertilizer
A light application of balanced fertilizer in spring is sufficient. As Fabaceae fix atmospheric nitrogen, nutritional needs remain low. Avoid excess nitrogen, which would favor foliage at the expense of flowering.
Diseases and pests
Watch for excess moisture, which can cause root rot or mildew. In Mediterranean cultivation, aphids and scale insects may appear; treat preventatively by spraying soapy water. Few other problems reported on this robust species.
Did you know?
The Sophora prostrata is an emblematic shrub of New Zealand, locally called 'kowhai'; the Māori appreciated its medicinal properties. Despite its small size, it produces bright yellow flowers highly prized in mild climate gardens, and its pendulous structure makes it ideal for rock gardens or raised containers.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
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Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.