Pocket BotanistPlant guide
Rosary pea.
Abrus precatorius
Pronounced AY-brus pre-ka-TOR-ee-us
Also known as Crab's Eye, Indian-licorice, Indian-liquorice, Jumbi Bead, Jumbie Beads, Jumby Beans, Liquorice Plant, Luckybean Creeper
The rosary pea is a beautiful but highly dangerous climbing vine known for its striking red and black seeds. It is native to tropical regions and often grows as an invasive weed in warmer climates. You should handle this plant with extreme caution due to the potent toxins found in its seeds.
At a glance
- Care level
- Moderate
- Plant type
- Perennial vine
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade
- Indoor light
- Bright indirect
- Water
- Every 3 to 7 days
- Mature size
- 6 to 20 feet
- Growth rate
- Fast
Care
Provide a sturdy trellis for this vigorous climber to support its rapid growth. Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy to mimic its tropical home. Watch for yellowing leaves which can indicate overwatering or poor drainage.
- Watering
- Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
- Feeding
- Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.
- Pruning
- Trim back long stems to maintain the desired size and shape.
- Repotting
- Move to a larger container once the roots begin to circle the pot.
- Soil
- Well draining sandy or loamy soil
- Soil pH
- 6.0 to 7.5
Safety
- Pets
- This plant is extremely toxic to both cats and dogs if ingested.
How to identify it
- Pinnately compound leaves with many leaflets
- Small pale pink or purple flowers
- Distinctive bright red seeds with black spots
- Slender woody climbing stems
Science
- Family
- Fabaceae
- Genus
- Abrus
- Order
- Fabales
- Class
- Magnoliopsida
Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.
Also in
Is your rosary pea looking unwell?
This page is a general guide. Pocket Botanist diagnoses problems from a photo of your actual plant, works out watering for your light and conditions, and reminds you when care is due.
This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.