Photo: Alejandro Bayer Tamayo from Armenia, ColombiaCC BY-SA 2.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
Creeping Acmella Plant Care
Acmella repens Rich. ex Pers.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant is known for its unique succulent-like leaves that are covered in tiny white hairs, giving it a silvery appearance. Originally from Brazil, Acmella repens is highly sought after by plant collectors for its beautiful foliage and ability to thrive in low light conditions.
Every 3–7 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Creeping Acmella?
Water Creeping Acmella every 3–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every month during the growing season.
Where Is the Creeping Acmella Native To?
What Is the Creeping Acmella?
Creeping Acmella (Acmella repens) belongs to the Asteraceae family within the Acmella genus. Creeping Acmella is native to the southeastern and south-central United States, primarily in the coastal plain from Texas to North Carolina and in the lower Mississippi Valley from Missouri to Louisiana. Creeping Acmella is also known as Creeping Daisy, Anthemis repens, Acmella oppositifolia.
Creeping Acmella displays a low rosette, spreading growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Creeping Acmella produces small yellow or red button-like flowers.
Leaf size: approximately 5 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Creeping Acmella?
Acmella repens requires watering every 3–7 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 3–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Creeping Acmella Need?
Creeping Acmella thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Creeping Acmella Prefer?
Acmella repens grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Creeping Acmella prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Creeping Acmella?
Well-draining, sandy loam with added organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Creeping Acmella to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Creeping Acmella?
Feed Creeping Acmella every month 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 month
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Creeping Acmella?
Repot every 1-2 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 Creeping Acmella?
Creeping Acmella can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps. Similar propagation techniques also apply to white acmella plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Creeping Acmella Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Creeping Acmella, 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 Creeping Acmella?
Creeping Acmella is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. 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 Creeping Acmella Need?
Creeping Acmella grows outdoors in USDA Zone 7a – 10b. It survives winters down to planting zone 7a. Creeping Acmella is native to the southeastern and south-central United States, primarily in the coastal plain from Texas to North Carolina and in the lower Mississippi Valley from Missouri to Louisiana.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 7a – 10b
Keep exploring plants
Creeping Acmella 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 Acmella genus — compare its care with other Acmella species on PlantoScan.
Acmella is part of the Asteraceae plant family — browse all Asteraceae genera and species.
Creeping Acmella thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Acmella repens Rich. ex Pers., family Asteraceae (first published in Syn. Pl. ii. 473 (1807)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Creeping Acmella, 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: Alejandro Bayer Tamayo from Armenia, Colombia, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 7a – 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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