< Back

Desert Senna

Senna covesii

true

1 gallon; 3 gallon

Desert Senna

In stock

3'x3'

Sizes:

Desert Senna – Senna covesii
Also known as: Coves' Cassia; Cove Senna; Coues' Senna; Rattlebox; Rattleweed

Desert Senna is an upright shrubby wildflower native to the Mojave, Sonoran, and Colorado Desert habitats, extending from Southern California into Arizona and northern Baja California. Common in areas like Joshua Tree National Park, this subshrub thrives in sandy washes and desert plains. In garden settings, it complements patio plantings, wildlife habitats, and butterfly gardens with its bright yellow blooms and distinct seed pods that rattle when mature—hence the nickname “Rattlebox.”

This deciduous plant grows 2–5 feet tall and typically loses its leaves during dry periods, revealing green stems that continue photosynthesis. It blooms in spring and summer, producing showy yellow flowers followed by dry, cylindrical pods. Seed dispersal occurs via a “pop-and-drop” mechanism—pods split and scatter seeds when jostled by wind or passing wildlife. As a legume, it helps enrich soil and supports ecological restoration.

Wildlife Value
Host Plant: Sleepy Orange (Eurema nicippe); Cloudless Sulphur (Phoebis sennae)

Nectar Source: Butterflies and insects (including generalist bees, bumblebees, and flies), supported by its buzz-pollination floral mechanism; Senna-specialist bees (reliant on pollen from Senna species)

Bird Resources: Seeds (eaten by seed-foraging birds)

Bird Species: Verdin (Auriparus flaviceps); Black-tailed Gnatcatcher (Polioptila melanura)

Plant Care

Native region:

Local Native; Mojave Desert

Water needs:

Low

Exposure:

Full Sun

Mature size:

3'x3'

Growth rate:

Fast

Flower color:

Yellow

Flower season:

Spring

Pruning:

None

Cold Hardiness:

20 Degrees

Nectar-producing:

Yes

Attracts pollinators:

Yes

Nighttime pollinators:

Butterflies or Moths:

Yes

Monarchs:

Larval host:

Yes

Bees:

Yes

Bats:

Birds:

Yes

Nest site:

Nest materials:

Rabbit-resistant:

Tortoises:

Yes

Growing Plants in the Desert — Important Information

The information presented here is, to the best of my knowledge, accurate and based on reliable research, personal experience in my own garden, observations from other gardens I’ve visited, and time spent studying plants in their native habitats. I always welcome your feedback and experiences to help me continue educating others!

Cacti:
In my experience, cacti are much happier in filtered shade here in the low desert of the Coachella Valley. Their colors are more vibrant and they tend to bloom more profusely, especially the non-native varieties. If you look closely at how our native barrel cactus and beavertail prickly pear grow in the wild, you’ll often find them tucked among rocks or beneath the shelter of creosote and other shrubs.

⚠️ A note of caution: Cacti and succulents are often illegally collected from the wild, which not only damages plant populations but also disturbs entire ecosystems. In some cases, wild populations of cacti have even gone extinct because of this practice. When purchasing these plants, always be sure they’ve been legally obtained. Look for nursery-grown stock or plants with a native plant certification, and keep that documentation for your records.

Light Requirements:
In our desert (Sonoran/Colorado), “full sun” doesn’t always mean what you might think. Many so-called full-sun plants benefit from and actually appreciate some late-afternoon filtered light—especially during the intense summer months.