Browse plants / Fabaceae
Sturt's desert pea Swainsona formosa
Previously known as Clianthus formosus
When it flowers
- January, not flowering
- February, not flowering
- March, not flowering
- April, not flowering
- May, not flowering
- June, not flowering
- July, not flowering
- August, flowering
- September, flowering
- October, flowering
- November, flowering
- December, flowering
Trailing desert plant with striking red flowers with a glossy black boss.
South Australia's floral emblem, from the arid inland. Its large red flowers, each with a shiny black centre, sit upright above grey, hairy leaves. It needs heat, sun and perfect drainage and is usually grown as an annual or in a pot; grafted plants are more reliable.
In the garden
- Attracts
- Birds
- Flowers
- Clusters of large red claw-shaped pea flowers with a glossy black boss.
- Leaves
- Soft, grey-green, hairy divided leaves on trailing stems.
Growing conditions
- Light
- Full sun
- Soil
- Sandy
- Soil pH
- Neutral and alkaline
- Drainage
- Needs good drainage
- Frost
- Frost tender
- Water
- Very drought tolerant
- Climate
- Arid and semi-arid and dry summers (Mediterranean)
Planting and care
- Grown from
- Seed and grafting
Planting
Full sun and heat in pure sand or a deep pot of very free-draining mix. Plant without disturbing the roots.
Pruning
None needed.
Care
Water sparingly from below; wet foliage and wet soil cause rot. Usually lasts one season.
Where it comes from
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Order
- Fabales
- Native to
- New South Wales, Northern Territory, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia
- Natural range
- Arid inland Australia, often after rain on red sand.
Where to buy
Specialist native nurseries.
We don't have stockists listed for this plant yet. Local native nurseries are often the best place to ask.
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Further reading
- Swainsona formosa on the Atlas of Living Australia (Atlas of Living Australia)
Native nurseries near you
An independent list of nurseries that specialise in Australian native plants. Nobody pays to be on it. Distances are approximate and in a straight line. Opening hours and stock vary, so check before you go.