How to Grow and Care for Cassias

Golden shower tree (Cassia fistula) is a plant that is found in tropical and subtropical regions. It is at its peak during the middle of the summer. Golden shower tree is both the national flower and tree of Thailand. The Latin name "Cassia" comes from "Kassia", which means "fragrant plant." It holds a sacred place in scriptures like the Ramayana and Mahabharata.

Besides being a stunning ornamental tree for landscaping, the pink shower (Cassia javanica) has numerous uses! The wood is used for furniture and cabinet making, while the bark is used in the tanning process for leather. In Thailand, it's grown to bring good luck.

The pink shower tree is named for the long racemes of pink flowers that cascade down from its branches and at times obscure most of the green leaves. It also produces long, woody seed pods that can function as cattle fodder. The pink shower tree is often an important species for local bee populations.

Gold medallion tree, or Cassia leptophylla, is a tropical semi-evergreen with visually striking, bright golden flowers. Its long, slender leaves uniquely fan out, exhibiting growth patterns indicative of its native Brazilian habitat. A strong survivalist, gold medallion tree thrives in warm climates, often in well-drained soils, resilience that underscores its popular use in ornamentation.

The red cassia is a medium-sized tree, growing to 15–20 m (49–66 ft) tall with spreading, drooping branches. The leaves are clusters of pink, rose or orange flowers, 15–60 cm (5.9–23.6 in) long, and pinnate with three to eight pairs of leaflets, each leaflet 7–21 cm (2.8–8.3 in) long and 4–9 cm (1.6–3.5 in) broad. The flowers are produced in pendulous racemes 20–40 cm (7.9–15.7 in) long, each flower 4–7 cm (1.6–2.8 in) diameter with red to pinkish petals. The fruit is a legume.