Plants can be grown as a green manure crop. The plant gives good soil cover; builds up soil fertility through its leaf fall and nitrogen production; and can be used to smother weeds such as Imperata cylindrica.
It is grown in plantations where it can be fully productive in full sun and up to 40% shade, it grows well in mature coconut plantations where there is 30 - 40% shade, and will still do fairly well in heavy shade.