Emperor's Candlesticks is a tropical shrub that stops traffic when it blooms. The erect flower spikes, tightly packed with buds, resemble glowing yellow candles before they open, which is exactly how this plant earned its evocative common name. In hardiness zones 9-11, it grows as a permanent shrub reaching 5 to 8 feet tall; in cooler regions, gardeners can start seeds indoors in late winter and enjoy it as a fast-growing seasonal specimen that puts on a dramatic show in a single growing season. Once established, it tolerates drought and asks for little more than full sun and moderate water. This is a plant that turns heads.
Full Sun
Moderate
9-11
96in H x 48in W
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Moderate
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The flower spikes are architectural marvels, appearing like bundles of lit candles before the flowers open into showy displays. In its native tropical habitat, Emperor's Candlesticks grows into a substantial tree, but gardeners in temperate zones can experience its full glory by starting seed indoors in late winter and planting out after the last frost. It's remarkably low-maintenance once established, thriving in average, well-drained soil with minimal fussing, and the dark, pinnately compound foliage provides an elegant backdrop to the bright flowers even before bloom time arrives.
Emperor's Candlesticks is grown almost exclusively for its ornamental value. The showy flower spikes and attractive foliage make it a focal point in tropical and subtropical gardens, and in cooler climates, it serves as a statement annual or seasonal container plant that can be overwintered indoors under glass. The dramatic candle-like blooms are prized by gardeners looking to add vertical interest and bold color to sunny borders or patios.
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Start seed indoors in February or March, several weeks before your last spring frost date. Transplant outdoor seedlings after all danger of frost has passed and soil has warmed. This early indoor start allows the plant to reach impressive size and flowering maturity in a single growing season.
Harden off indoor-started seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions over 7-10 days before planting. Transplant after the last frost date when soil temperatures are reliably warm. Space plants 3-4 feet apart to allow for mature width of 3-4 feet.
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“Senna alata is native to tropical regions where it grows wild as a shrub or small tree, reaching heights of 12 to 30 feet in its natural habitat. The common name 'empress candle plant' or 'candle bush' references the unmistakable appearance of the flower buds, while an older name, 'ringworm cassia,' reveals a more practical history: the plant's leaves were once valued in traditional medicine for treating fungal infections. This dual legacy, combining ornamental beauty with folk medicinal use, has carried the plant from tropical gardens into cultivation worldwide.”