Aciphylla scott-thomsonii Plant Care
Aciphylla scott-thomsonii Cockayne & Allan
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Aciphylla scott-thomsonii, also called giant speargrass or taramea, is a species of Aciphylla native to New Zealand.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–75°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Aciphylla scott-thomsonii?
Water Aciphylla scott-thomsonii every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Aciphylla scott-thomsonii Native To?
What Is the Aciphylla scott-thomsonii?
Aciphylla scott-thomsonii (Aciphylla scott-thomsonii) belongs to the Apiaceae family within the Aciphylla genus. Aciphylla scott-thomsonii is native to New Zealand.
Aciphylla scott-thomsonii displays a clumping perennial growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Aciphylla scott-thomsonii produces small white or greenish flowers in dense clusters.
Leaf size: approximately 12 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Aciphylla scott-thomsonii?
Aciphylla scott-thomsonii requires watering every 7–14 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Aciphylla scott-thomsonii Need?
Aciphylla scott-thomsonii thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Aciphylla scott-thomsonii Prefer?
Aciphylla scott-thomsonii grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Aciphylla scott-thomsonii prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Aciphylla scott-thomsonii?
Well-draining sandy soil with good organic matter content. Good drainage is essential for Aciphylla scott-thomsonii to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Aciphylla scott-thomsonii?
Feed Aciphylla scott-thomsonii every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Aciphylla scott-thomsonii?
Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Aciphylla scott-thomsonii?
Aciphylla scott-thomsonii can be propagated through seeds, division of offsets. Similar propagation techniques also apply to mount cook speargrass plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Aciphylla scott-thomsonii Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Aciphylla scott-thomsonii, 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 Aciphylla scott-thomsonii?
Aciphylla scott-thomsonii is susceptible to aphids, caterpillars, slugs. 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 Aciphylla scott-thomsonii Need?
Aciphylla scott-thomsonii grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Aciphylla scott-thomsonii is native to New Zealand. In cooler regions, grow Aciphylla scott-thomsonii as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Aciphylla scott-thomsonii 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 Aciphylla genus — compare its care with other Aciphylla species on PlantoScan.
Aciphylla is part of the Apiaceae plant family — browse all Apiaceae genera and species.
Aciphylla scott-thomsonii thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Aciphylla Species
Other Aciphylla species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Aciphylla scott-thomsonii Cockayne & Allan, family Apiaceae (first published in Trans. & Proc. New Zealand Inst. 57: 48 (1927)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Aciphylla scott-thomsonii, 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.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- 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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