Overview
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 worldwide. 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, which remains 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 “sweaty socks” or “wet dog”. This tropical plant is only hardy in zones 9a to 11b, but because of its rapid growth and habit of flowering when small, it is used as a seasonal annual in cool climates.
In its natural habit, 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 usually reaches only a few feet tall.
The pinnately compound leaves can grow up to 18 inches long, although container-grown plants generally have smaller leaves. The 8 to 18 paired oval leaflets are up to 3 inches long, each with a mucronate apex. The bright green, leathery leaves and rachis are variably pubescent (covered with fine hairs which vary in density and length between individuals).
This plant blooms from spring through fall (but most freely in late summer when temperatures are warm), with dense flower spikes up to one foot tall. The erect axillary racemes have 20 to 30 rounded flower buds. Each unopened bud is enclosed by a brownish green or black bract that opens to allow the five slightly unequal petals to emerge.
These bright, buttery yellow petals are incurved at first, but later become more spreading. The ½ to 2 inch wide flowers have 10 stamens, usually with seven fertile ones with large anthers and three sterile staminodes. The flowers in each inflorescence open at the bottom first and open sequentially up the raceme. Some claim that the flowers smell like peanut butter, although the fragrance is quite subtle.
Flowers are followed by typical legume-type fruits up to 5 inches long. Each flat brown pod contains up to 16 smooth, flattened, bean-like seeds with the pod depressed between the seeds when dry.
Landscape Use of Popcorn Cassia
In Midwestern gardens, popcorn cassia is used as an unusual accent plant with its bright yellow showy flowers contrasting with its striking black buds, for the tropical effect of its foliage, and for vertical interest with its tall flower spikes. Plant it among other annuals in the border, or as a specimen in a large container. In a mixed container it can function as the “thriller” or tall plant to contrast with other trailing or mid-sized filler plants.
The large but feathery foliage contrasts nicely with other tropical with large leaves (such as bananas, elephant ears or castor bean) or anything with dark-colored leaves. Try mixing it with pink cosmos and orange dahlias for a bright burst of color, or use it with yellow dahlias and snapdragons for a sophisticated monochromatic color scheme.
Senna didymobotrya grows best in full sun in fertile, moist, well-drained soil. Provide with ample water and fertilize regularly to promote lush growth and flowering. As a tropical plant it will languish in cool weather, but will thrive in the heat and humidity of summer. Prune after flowering to keep more compact, but this will delay repeat blooming. It does not have any significant pests and is not favored by deer.
Although it will tolerate light frost, to keep this plant over the winter in a greenhouse or a bright window, bring it indoors when nighttime temperatures are in the high 30s.
Propagating Popcorn Cassia
Popcorn cassia can be grown from seed, but for use as an annual it is more typically purchased as a rooted cutting. Seed will germinate more readily if soaked in water overnight hours or scarified mechanically or with hot water. Sow shallowly in February or March. Wait until all danger of frost has passed before planting outdoors, either in containers or in the ground (at the same time you would put tomatoes outside). Space plants about 2 feet apart.
Other Species of Senna
- Senna (Cassia) hebecarpa, American senna or wild senna, is a Wisconsin native perennial species hardy to zone 4a. It grows 4 to 6 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide. It is tolerant of wet soil, drought, clay, and alkaline soil. This species is a larval host plant for the cloudless sulfur butterfly (Phoebis sennae).
- Senna marilandica, Maryland wild senna, is another Wisconsin native species hardy to zone 4a. It grows 3 to 6 feet tall and 2 to 3 feet wide. It is tolerant of drought, clay soil, and occasional flooding. Like S. hebecarpa, it is a larval host plant for sulfur butterflies.
Author: Susan Mahr, University of Wisconsin—Madison
Reviewers: Allen R. Pyle, Horticulture Outreach Specialist, Bruce Spangenberg, Horticulture Outreach Specialist, UW—Madison Extension
Revised: October 2026
