Light. Grows best in full sun and also takes partial sun.
Water. Water while it establishes; after that it is quite drought tolerant. Overwatering leads to fungal problems.
Soil and feeding. Needs well-drained sandy soil and handles neutral to alkaline pH. It usually needs no fertilizer.
Size. Grows 8–10 ft tall and 4–8 ft wide, with a round or vase-shaped crown. Space plants 3–5 ft apart for a mass planting.
Pruning. Regular pruning keeps it as a small tree or a loose hedge.
Problems to watch. It has no major pests or diseases. Fungal trouble is the main risk, and usually comes from overwatering.
Good to know. A Florida native of dunes and coastal strand, highly tolerant of salt spray. Flowers draw butterflies, bees and hummingbirds. The seeds contain alkaloids and are toxic if eaten.
Sources: UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions: Necklace Pod · Florida Native Plant Society Plant Database: Sophora tomentosa var. truncata
