Photo: Murray NZCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
New Zealand burr Plant Care
Acaena pallida (Kirk) Allan
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Acaena pallida is a unique plant known for its silver-green foliage and spiky, ball-shaped seed heads that resemble tiny burrs. Native to New Zealand, this plant thrives in rocky or sandy soils and is popular among gardeners for its ability to form dense ground cover in sunny locations.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for New Zealand burr?
Plant New Zealand burr in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 8a–10b) and water a young tree every 7–14 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C). Fertilize it every 2 months during the growing season.
Where Is the New Zealand burr Native To?
What Is the New Zealand burr?
New Zealand burr (Acaena pallida) belongs to the Rosaceae family within the Acaena genus. New Zealand burr is native to New Zealand and south-eastern Australia, including Tasmania. New Zealand burr is also known as purple sheep's burr.
New Zealand burr displays a low-growing, spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. New Zealand burr produces tiny inconspicuous flowers in clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a New Zealand burr?
Water a young or newly planted New Zealand burr every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the New Zealand burr Need?
New Zealand burr thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the New Zealand burr Prefer?
Acaena pallida tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. New Zealand burr prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a New Zealand burr?
Well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for New Zealand burr to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a New Zealand burr?
Feed New Zealand burr every 2 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.
Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.
Fertilizing
Every 2 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
Where Should You Plant a New Zealand burr?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
New Zealand burr is suited to USDA Zone 8a – 10b.
Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.
How Far Apart Should You Plant a New Zealand burr?
New Zealand burr can spread to about 1 ft (0.3 m). Space plants about 1 ft (0.3 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.
Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.
How Do You Prune a New Zealand burr?
Prune New Zealand burr while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.
If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.
How Do You Care for a New Zealand burr in Winter?
New Zealand burr is hardy down to USDA zone 8a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.
Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.
Young and container-grown trees need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.
How Do You Propagate a New Zealand burr?
New Zealand burr can be propagated through seeds, division of offsets. Similar propagation techniques also apply to antarctic bidibid plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the New Zealand burr Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list New Zealand burr, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the New Zealand burr?
New Zealand burr is susceptible to aphids, slugs, snails. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the New Zealand burr Need?
New Zealand burr grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8a – 10b. It survives winters down to planting zone 8a. New Zealand burr is native to New Zealand and south-eastern Australia, including Tasmania.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 8a – 10b
Keep exploring plants
New Zealand burr is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Acaena genus — compare its care with other Acaena species on PlantoScan.
Acaena is part of the Rosaceae plant family — browse all Rosaceae genera and species.
New Zealand burr thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Acaena Species
Other Acaena species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Acaena pallida (Kirk) Allan, family Rosaceae (first published in Fl. New Zealand 1: 360 (1961)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list New Zealand burr, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: Murray NZ, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 8a – 10b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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